Key Takeaways
- Telluride ski patrollers voted to go on strike starting December 27 after months of failed negotiations with resort owner Telluride Ski and Golf Co.
- The patrollers are seeking an increase in hourly pay, with a median wage of $35 and a wage range from $26 to $53 an hour.
- The resort company’s latest offer was identical to their "last, best and final offer" made on December 6, which was rejected by all but one of the patrollers.
- The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the resort’s operations, with the patrollers playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the mountain.
- The situation is being closely watched by the resort industry, with Vail Resorts having recently experienced a 12-day strike by ski patrollers at their Park City Mountain Resort.
Introduction to the Strike
Telluride ski patrollers on Tuesday night voted to go on strike starting December 27 after months of failed negotiations with resort owner Telluride Ski and Golf Co. The decision was made after the resort company’s latest offer was rejected by all but one of the patrollers, with the union seeking an increase in hourly pay. According to Andy Dennis, a patroller and interim safety director for the union, "Nobody on patrol wants this to happen. Nobody. We are talking about the price of a few freaking lift tickets right now. I mean, come on. I feel, personally, so unappreciated and exploited right now. They are taking advantage of us."
Negotiations and Proposals
The resort company’s latest offer for a new contract with the 78-member union was identical to the "last, best and final offer" made on December 6. The patrollers’ latest proposal was about halfway between what patrollers are seeking and what the company offered on December 6. However, the company did not counter the patrollers’ proposal, instead reissuing their same "last, best and final offer" that was rejected two weeks ago. The union’s proposal is seeking an increase in hourly pay, with a median wage of $35 and a wage range from $26 to $53 an hour.
Impact on the Resort
The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the resort’s operations, with the patrollers playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the mountain. The patrollers have been working without a contract since the start of the season, and the union’s representatives have met with the company’s negotiating team for more than 16 sessions in the last few months to hammer out a new three-year contract. The cost of living adjustments the patrollers offered this week reduced the three-year difference to about $65,000. The resort industry is closely watching Telluride, with Vail Resorts having recently experienced a 12-day strike by ski patrollers at their Park City Mountain Resort.
Community Support and Industry Implications
The Telluride ski patrollers have received significant support from the community, with many locals and visitors expressing their solidarity with the patrollers. The situation is being closely watched by the resort industry, with Vail Resorts having recently experienced a 12-day strike by ski patrollers at their Park City Mountain Resort. On a recent earnings call with investors, Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz said that the partnership deal with Telluride "does not necessarily contribute to our earnings." However, he also stated that "I think access to Telluride helps pass sales, which is important. And obviously, yes, we’re very hopeful that they can find a way to resolve the differences."
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The Telluride ski patrollers’ decision to go on strike is a significant development in the ongoing labor negotiations between the patrollers and the resort owner. The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the resort’s operations, and the situation is being closely watched by the resort industry. The patrollers are seeking an increase in hourly pay, with a median wage of $35 and a wage range from $26 to $53 an hour. The future outlook for the resort and the patrollers remains uncertain, with the strike expected to last for an undetermined amount of time. However, the patrollers remain committed to their cause, with Andy Dennis stating that "I think the solidarity is strong enough to hold us as long as it takes."
