A strike by the ski patrol at Park City Resort, North America’s largest ski area by acreage, has shut a majority of the Utah resort for more than a week at its busiest time of the year. The strike, which started on December 27, has left only 99 of the resort’s 350 trails open, with only 26 of 41 lifts operating. Resort management is using supervisors and nonunion ski patrol members to provide some coverage and keep part of the area open to visitors.
The union, the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association, represents 200 patrol members and mountain safety staffers who provide first aid and rescue, perform avalanche mitigation, and assist guests. The union is pushing for a 4% raise in current negotiations, but management is only offering a $1 an hour increase. The union claims this is not enough given the high cost of living in the area, known for its wealthy visitors and hosting of the Sundance Film Festival every winter.
Mediated talks took place again on Friday, but the union has not seen enough progress to return to work. The strike is affecting not only the resort but also the local economy, as visitors are cancelling plans and losing money. Vail Resorts, which owns Park City and 41 other resorts, has lost 6 percent of its share value since the start of the strike. The resort has raised ski patrol wages 50% over the past four years, but the union is demanding higher wages, improved benefits, and longer contracts. The strike is set to continue until a resolution is reached.
