Key Takeaways
- The Telluride ski area has been closed since January 1 due to a strike by the 78-member Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Union.
- The union is seeking a wage increase of $7.78 per hour, while the resort owner has offered an increase of $3.89 per hour.
- The strike has resulted in a significant decline in lodging bookings in Telluride, with bookings down 54% compared to last year.
- Nearby ski resorts, such as Crested Butte and Monarch, are seeing an uptick in visitors, with Monarch offering free lift tickets to Telluride guests and season pass holders.
- Local governments have issued a statement saying that they are unable to contribute to bridging the gap between the resort operator and the patrollers due to labor laws.
Introduction to the Strike
The Telluride ski area has been closed since January 1 due to a strike by the 78-member Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Union. The strike, which began on December 27, is the result of a dispute over wages between the union and the resort owner, Chuck Horning. The union is seeking a wage increase of $7.78 per hour, while the resort owner has offered an increase of $3.89 per hour. The strike has resulted in a significant decline in lodging bookings in Telluride, with bookings down 54% compared to last year.
The Impact on the Community
The strike has had a significant impact on the community, with local businesses dependent on tourists enduring declining visitation. The Telluride Tourism Board has reported that lodging occupancy in Telluride and Mountain Village is 56% from late December into early January, compared to 72% during the same holiday stretch last season. Nearby ski resorts, such as Crested Butte and Monarch, are seeing an uptick in visitors, with Monarch offering free lift tickets to Telluride guests and season pass holders. The strike has also had an impact on the local economy, with some businesses reporting a decline in sales.
The Reasons Behind the Strike
The strike is not just about wages, but also about the ability of the ski patrollers to provide a safe experience for skiers. The union argues that the current wages are not sufficient to retain experienced patrollers, who are often lured away by higher-paying jobs in the region. The union president, Graham Hoffman, has stated that the union is seeking wages that will allow them to retain experienced patrollers and provide a safe experience for skiers. Tom "Socko" Sokolowski, an 80-year-old ski patroller who has been patrolling for 53 years, has said that the main reason for the strike is to improve wages for new patrollers, who are often paid low wages and have to deal with high costs of living in Telluride.
The Role of Local Governments
Local governments have issued a statement saying that they are unable to contribute to bridging the gap between the resort operator and the patrollers due to labor laws. The towns of Telluride and Mountain Village and San Miguel County have stated that they are monitoring the situation and remain prepared to respond as appropriate, while continuing to urge a speedy and amicable resolution to contract negotiations. However, the union has argued that the local governments should play a role in helping to bridge the gap between the resort operator and the patrollers, given the significant impact that the strike is having on the local economy.
The Future of the Strike
The future of the strike is uncertain, with neither the resort owner nor the union appearing to be willing to budge. The union has stated that they are willing to negotiate, but the resort owner has not yet reached out to them with a new proposal. The strike has also sparked concerns about the potential for other resort worker strikes in North America, with a strike planned to start on Friday at Le Massif de Charlevoix ski resort in Quebec. As the strike continues, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved and what the impact will be on the local community and the ski industry as a whole.
Conclusion
The strike at the Telluride ski area is a complex issue that involves not just wages, but also the ability of the ski patrollers to provide a safe experience for skiers. The union’s demand for higher wages is driven by the need to retain experienced patrollers and provide a safe experience for skiers. The strike has had a significant impact on the local community, with declining visitation and sales. Local governments have issued a statement saying that they are unable to contribute to bridging the gap between the resort operator and the patrollers due to labor laws. The future of the strike is uncertain, with neither the resort owner nor the union appearing to be willing to budge. As the strike continues, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved and what the impact will be on the local community and the ski industry as a whole.