KEYSTONE, CO—On Wednesday, January 22, the Keystone Ski Patrol Union (KSPU) bargaining crew met once more with Vail Resorts for contract negotiations. The day centered on the corporate’s first counter to the union’s wage proposal, at some point after the corporate introduced a brand new “mountain complexity” pay incentive for its giant non-unionized patrols. The brand new incentive was introduced within the firm’s wage counter to the union, however on the expense of the present specialty crew pay incentives and will increase for these with increased medical certifications.
Throughout this negotiation, Vail Resorts signaled to the union that they didn’t need its patrollers to prioritize medical look after injured visitors and as a substitute transport them off the mountain. Vail Resorts additionally questioned the significance of patrollers with increased medical certifications, equivalent to nurses and paramedics, who can carry out superior lifesaving procedures within the subject.
The KSPU bargaining crew finds the corporate’s stance deeply problematic for ski patrollers and public security. Final 12 months, the Keystone Ski Patrol responded to roughly 3,000 visitor incidents on-mountain, most of which have been medical considerations. The Keystone Ski Patrol additionally prides itself on offering high-quality pre-hospital care. It acquired the EMS Company of the 12 months award in 2022 from the Central Mountain Regional EMS and Trauma Advisory Council. Within the week main as much as MLK, the Keystone Ski Patrol responded to a few life-threatening emergencies and numerous different high-acuity incidents, equivalent to anaphylaxis, femur fractures, and spinal accidents.
At the moment, all new ski patrollers at Keystone are required to have an EMT certification earlier than working. Ski Patrol is commonly the primary level of care in extremely traumatic accidents, and affected person outcomes can range extensively primarily based on the kind of care supplied. Colorado affords EMTs one of many highest scopes of apply within the nation, and the Keystone Ski Patrol repeatedly makes use of it to the total extent. Because of the statements made throughout the negotiations, the KSPU bargaining crew believes the corporate could scale back the patrols’ capability to offer care on the mountain. As a licensed EMS company, the Keystone Ski Patrol would usually obtain modifications within the scope of apply from its Medical Director, which the corporate didn’t seek the advice of earlier than making these statements. This could concern skiers and riders visiting Keystone, particularly given the resort’s branding as a household mountain. One of many firm’s seven core values is “be secure,” which doesn’t align with its current remarks.
To refute these current statements, the KSPU bargaining crew asks for written testimonies from anybody who has acquired care from the Keystone Ski Patrol. Responses will be made to KeystoneSkiPatrolUnion@gmail.com and could also be nameless. The union would love a quick assertion on the kind of damage or sickness handled and the standard of the interplay with the patrol. These statements might be used straight in negotiations to claim the need for a medically educated patrol and a good wage for the service they supply.
SnowBrains has reached out to Vail Resorts for remark.
