• For more information on how to avoid pop-up ads and still support SkiTalk click HERE.

Ski patrollers “practice strike” in Park City.

SkiSchoolPros

Impact Ecosystem- ie.Money with Meaning
Skier
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Posts
207
Location
Colorado
I'm not exactly sure of the PC job market, but do know that in Summit, CO where wages have been held down for years by the presence of VR in so many sectors including food, retail and transportation, the local Wendy's is offering $18/hr to start and Target is offering $19.50. Mountain town living is too expensive to try to make it on $15/hr.

No offense to retail or fast food workers, but I value patrollers WAY MORE! I know firsthand how VR can drag their feet to keep wages down. The current $13.25 is insulting and exploits the good nature of most patrollers. They should strike sooner rather than later...if they do, I hope they reach out to other VR mountains and departments so we can at minimum do a 1 day walkout in support.
 

HardDaysNight

Making fresh tracks
Skier
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
1,343
Location
Park City, UT
Just strike already. Do it this weekend.
Yesterday’s bargaining session failed to reach an agreement. My information is that yet another session will be held Wednesday (tomorrow) and in the event of no progress the ski patrollers will stage a walk-out on Friday. The union vote was overwhelmingly in favor of an action if Vail remained recalcitrant.
 

HardDaysNight

Making fresh tracks
Skier
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
1,343
Location
Park City, UT
1642109663820.jpeg
 

chilehed

Out on the slopes
Skier
SkiTalk Supporter
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Posts
878
Location
Michigan
And...I am with @CC in seeing the very exception you cite as being implicit recognition that it IS a job.
A clause that explicitly clarifies the fact that volunteers are not employees, you take as implicit recognition that they are?

I'm not following that... logic.
 
Last edited:

RoninSkier

Getting off the lift
Skier
Joined
Jul 12, 2022
Posts
259
Location
Calgary, AB, Canada
Not a commie socialist but the ski instructor patroller liftie etc compensation bz model has to change. People who help and protect others enjoy this beautiful sport/recreation should be treated fairly and decently.

We need both volunteer & paid professional staff who are recognized and treated fairly but not with privilege. Or skiing will become extremely expensive.

Discussions like this are a reflection of what is wrong with our society - the disparity between those who work and the overpaid sometimes useless overhead. It exists everywhere.
 

jmeb

Enjoys skiing.
Skier
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Posts
4,490
Location
Colorado
The patrol I volunteer at is about to vote on unionization. I wish them all the best.

I'm considering my future as a volunteer at I do feel that -- ultimately -- it serves to undermine the pros worth in management's eyes.

 

crgildart

Gravity Slave
Skier
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
16,329
Location
The Bull City
Bargaining power will always be low when there are somewhat qualified people willing to barter other compensation instead of the traditional cash and medical benefits.. However that definition of "qualified" is entirely debatable..
 

jmeb

Enjoys skiing.
Skier
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Posts
4,490
Location
Colorado
However that definition of "qualified" is entirely debatable..

Your speculation about the qualifications is entirely unsubstantiated in the case I posted about. It may be different in other locales.

In fact -- it is a higher standard to pass the volunteer ski test than the paid test to join. Per a director on the paid staff.
 

Sponsor

Staff online

  • Wendy
    Resurrecting the Oxford comma
  • Andy Mink
    Everyone loves spring skiing but not in January
Top