The Keystone Ski Patrol Union (KSP) is within the midst of its first contract negotiations with Vail Resorts since unionizing final yr, looking for honest wages and improved working circumstances for its patrollers. With solely 1 / 4 of the proposed contract phrases agreed upon up to now, the union has ramped up its efforts to push for significant progress, highlighting frustrations over stalled negotiations and low wages in a area with steep residing prices.
Negotiations started in September 2024 however have moved slowly, with the union ready for Vail Resorts to answer nearly all of its proposed phrases. The patrol is advocating for beginning wages of $23 per hour, aligning with the settlement reached by Park Metropolis Ski Patrol following a weeks-long strike that ended simply days in the past. At the moment, Keystone patrollers earn a beginning wage of $21.50 per hour, which the union argues falls wanting offering a livable earnings in Summit County.
On December 18, 2024, Keystone Ski Patrol staged a “walk-in” demonstration, with round 60 patrollers gathering in solidarity earlier than beginning their workday. The patrollers, joined by off-duty colleagues, walked into their locker room collectively to display their capacity to mobilize. Throughout the motion, the union delivered a letter to Vail Resorts management outlining their calls for for well timed and vital contract agreements.
The union additionally filed an unfair labor observe cost towards Vail Resorts, alleging the corporate failed to offer benefit raises earned by patrollers final season. It claimed Vail Resorts was violating the status-quo requirement throughout contract negotiations, a authorized obligation below labor regulation that prohibits employers from altering the phrases and circumstances of employment throughout contract negotiations with a union. Moreover, the union criticized Vail for counterproposals that eliminated normal contract phrases beforehand agreed upon with different unionized patrols.
Keystone Ski Patrol emphasizes the demanding nature of their work, which incorporates medical emergencies, avalanche mitigation, and technical rescues in difficult circumstances. Regardless of these obligations, many patrollers report struggling to afford housing and dealing a number of jobs to make ends meet.
“We’re not simply first responders; we’re a full-fledged EMS service,” the union wrote in a social media submit, including that their work requires intensive psychological and bodily sacrifices to make sure visitor security. The patrol argues that their experience and dedication ought to enable them to dwell and thrive in the neighborhood they serve.
Keystone’s negotiations comply with a tentative settlement at Park Metropolis Mountain, the place ski patrollers secured wage will increase and improved working circumstances after a extremely publicized strike. Breckenridge Ski Patrol Union, whose present contract expires in Might 2025, is subsequent in line to barter with Vail Resorts, signaling a broader push by ski patrol unions throughout the corporate’s portfolio.
Whereas negotiations at Keystone have remained cordial up to now, the union has made it clear they won’t tolerate delays or insufficient presents. As contract talks resume, the Keystone Ski Patrol Union hopes to succeed in an settlement that displays the worth of their contributions to resort operations and visitor security.
Vail Resorts has not but commented on the standing of the negotiations.
