Dec 17, 2024
Bill Rock, president of Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division, expressed optimism Tuesday morning following a return to negotiations Monday night with the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association after tensions escalated last week and the union authorized a strike.“I’m pleased that, last night, we resumed productive conversations with the union during the bargaining session, and both sides reiterated their commitment to getting it agreed,” said Rock. “That’s great news. Better news, I think, is the way we agreed to go about trying to get that agreement is that we jointly agreed to pursue a mediator.” Vail Resorts and Park City Mountain leaders had expressed disappointment in the ski patrol union after their negotiators walked out of the previous negotiation session last week.“We were ready to continue conversations, and it was disappointing to see them refuse any dialogue and leave the discussion abruptly,” Deirdra Walsh, Vail Resorts vice president and chief operating officer of Park City Mountain, said Friday. “The union walked out of negotiations when we were prepared to discuss their wage proposal. On Saturday morning, the ski patrol union’s business managers issued a press release detailing their strike authorization vote that closed at 100%.Walsh expressed care and consideration for the community and all employees and emphasized the offer Vail Resorts has put on the table. Bill Rock re-emphasized the offer on Tuesday. “We respect our patrollers and we feel really good about our compensation packages that we’ve offered,” said Rock. “Their wages have gone up over 50% over the last four years. The current proposal on the table has them receiving a four 4% increase, plus the $1,600 equipment allowance, which we feel really good about. These jobs are in high demand.” “Our patrol wages and benefits across our mountain resorts attract really strong talent,” said Walsh. The average wage for a seasonal patroller at Park City Mountain now is over $25 an hour.There were 3,000 applications for 300 roles available across Vail Resorts’ ski patrols this season, Walsh said.“I have reflected on the time we have spent over the past several years listening to both our community and to our employees, and I think we’ve demonstrated how much we care for them,” said Walsh. The previous three-year contract between Park City Mountain and the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association ended in April. Since then, the Park City union and the mountain’s parent company, Vail Resorts, have been negotiating the next contract. Monday’s session was the 24th so far.  “It is not unusual for unionized seasonal workers who have a contract expire to then work on a new contract in the off-season,” said Sara Huey, director of community and government affairs at Vail Resorts. “We have been working with them, negotiating at the bargaining table through the spring, summer and fall toward a new contract between Vail Resorts and their union.”Tensions between Vail Resorts and the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association recall the previous contract reached in 2021. Those negotiations continued through 50 meetings over a year and a half. Negotiations were closed following a 98% strike authorization vote presented by the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association. The talks eventually resulted in a contract with an average hourly wage of $19 an hour for patrollers. On Friday, the union voted unanimously to authorize a strike. Notice of the strike authorization vote was presented at the meeting last Thursday before union negotiators left the session. “Our focus has really been to remain committed to productive constructions and respectful dialogue at the table,” said Walsh. “And as this has been over time, we’ve reached (tentative agreements) on several articles already with the union. I think that’s a good demonstration on both sides.” Both sides agreed to using a mediator to continue with negotiations on Monday following the tensions last week and weekend. “We are really pleased that we’re back using a mediator,” Rock said Tuesday. “I think it’s productive. I’ve seen it work where a mediator can be very effective in explaining the rationale for both sides and try to close the gap that remains. It’s not a guarantee that it’ll get closed, but it’s a good, positive step that will continue to demonstrate our commitment to getting an agreement and work together.” Contract negotiations between union and company negotiators are expected to continue on Wednesday while plans for mediation are arranged to secure the necessary third parties to proceed with the contract bargaining. “We know the season matters. We know it matters to our employees, to our guests, to the community,” said Rock. “Regardless of the actions the union takes, we’re going to open this resort, and we’re going to operate. We have to care for all of our employees and all of our community members and guests, and we’re going to do that by keeping the mountain open and keeping it safe.”The post A Vail Resorts leader expresses optimism after latest talks with ski patrol union appeared first on Park Record.
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