Key Takeaways
- Telluride Ski Resort is planning to close due to a labor dispute between its owner and the ski patrol union
- The union is seeking higher pay, with starting pay to rise from $21 to $28 per hour and wages for experienced patrollers to increase from $30-$36 per hour to $39-$48.60 per hour
- The resort’s owner, Chuck Horning, has blamed the union for the closure, while the union claims that Horning is being unfair and refusing to negotiate
- The closure may last longer than just one day, with resort officials working on a plan to reopen even if the strike continues
- The labor dispute is part of a larger trend of ski patrollers in the Rocky Mountain region seeking better pay and working conditions
Introduction to the Labor Dispute
The Telluride Ski Resort, one of the most renowned ski resorts in the Western United States, is facing a labor dispute that may lead to its closure in the coming days. The Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association, which represents the resort’s ski patrollers, voted to strike on Saturday after contract negotiations with the resort’s owner, Chuck Horning, failed to yield an agreement on pay. The union is seeking higher pay for its members, with starting pay to rise from $21 to $28 per hour and wages for experienced patrollers to increase from $30-$36 per hour to $39-$48.60 per hour. The resort’s owner has blamed the union for the impending closure, stating that the strike will have a devastating effect on the community.
The Union’s Demands and the Resort’s Response
The ski patrollers’ union has been seeking better pay and working conditions for its members, citing the high cost of living in ski towns and the critical role that patrollers play in ensuring the safety of skiers. The union’s demands are not unreasonable, given the importance of the work that patrollers do, which includes attending to injured skiers and controlling the release of avalanches with explosives. However, the resort’s owner has refused to meet the union’s demands, leading to the strike. The resort’s officials have sought to lay blame for the closure on the union, but the union’s spokesperson, Andy Dennis, has accused Horning of being a bully and refusing to negotiate in good faith.
The Impact of the Closure
The closure of the Telluride Ski Resort will have a significant impact on the local community, which relies heavily on the resort for tourism and employment. The resort is one of the main attractions in the area, and its closure will likely lead to a decline in visitor numbers and a loss of revenue for local businesses. The closure will also affect the resort’s employees, who will be unable to work and earn a living. The union’s spokesperson has accused Horning of taking a reckless and irresponsible approach to the labor dispute, and of prioritizing his own interests over the needs of the community.
The Broader Context of the Labor Dispute
The labor dispute at the Telluride Ski Resort is part of a larger trend of ski patrollers in the Rocky Mountain region seeking better pay and working conditions. In recent years, there have been several high-profile labor disputes at ski resorts in the region, including a strike at Utah’s Park City Mountain Resort last year. The strike at Park City Mountain Resort ended with the resort’s owner, Vail Resorts, agreeing to meet the union’s demands, including a $2-an-hour base pay increase and raises for senior ski patrollers. The labor dispute at Telluride Ski Resort is likely to be watched closely by other ski resorts in the region, and may have implications for the broader ski industry.
The Future of the Labor Dispute
It is unclear how long the closure of the Telluride Ski Resort will last, or whether the union and the resort’s owner will be able to reach a agreement on pay and working conditions. The resort’s officials have stated that they are working on a plan to reopen the resort even if the strike continues, but it is unclear what this plan will entail. The union’s spokesperson has accused Horning of being unwilling to negotiate in good faith, and has called on him to meet the union’s demands and end the strike. The labor dispute at Telluride Ski Resort is a complex and contentious issue, and it remains to be seen how it will be resolved.