The arbitration comes this week in ski patrol union talks as Vail Resorts rounds up backup patrols just in case

The next phase of negotiations between Vail Resorts and the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association has mediation sessions scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

Meanwhile, the union posted an update on its Instagram page Saturday confirming that employees from other Vail Resorts mountains have been contacted to fill positions at Park City Mountain in the event of a strike.

“We are really frustrated to hear that the company has chosen to try to mitigate the effects of a strike rather than the symptoms of a strike,” said Margaux Klingensmith, a sixth-year union manager and patrol officer. “If we had seen that the same time, effort and money they put into recruiting scabs would go into a fair contract for the people who have already spent years qualifying in Park City To become skilled workers, we wouldn’t have had to authorize a strike.”

The union was optimistic that both sides agreed to mediation last week, although union officials expressed concerns that the search for mediators would stall negotiations even further.

With mediation now scheduled for Thursday and Friday of this week, Klingensmith said he was pleased with the quick coordination.

“We were incredibly pleased to hear that we were able to secure a mediator so quickly,” Klingensmith said. “But this latest attempt to bring in strikebreakers somehow shows us that they have no intention of making a reasonable offer of mediation on Thursday.”

Vail Resorts also expressed optimism about mediation efforts and future negotiations, promising to keep the resort open regardless of the strip union’s actions.

“Park City Mountain has plans to safely operate the resort throughout the season. We agreed to the patrol union’s request to schedule a mediation this week. However, the union has continued to state that it can call a strike at any time, including before arbitration,” Park City Mountain Vice President and COO Deirdra Walsh said Monday.

“If necessary, we stand ready to deploy our patrol support team, which is comprised of experienced patrollers from Park City Mountain and our other mountain resorts. We are proud of this team’s extensive skills, certifications and professionalism. Patrol support team members receive training and resources to specialize in their assigned terrain area. We also have two medical clinics on site. Safety is always our top priority,” said Walsh.

Klingensmith expressed concerns that the support team lacked familiarity and experience with Park City Mountain.

“When we train our first-year patrol officers, one of the things we do is familiarize them with the mountain. It takes almost their entire first year to learn just half of the mountain, not even the entire resort,” Klingensmith said. “I think it’s kind of crazy that (Vail Resorts) is bringing in other patrol officers from other resorts and I think they’re providing guests with the same level of experience and safety as the people who have dedicated themselves to this resort for years.”

In response, the union is asking these employees not to come to Park City and support their efforts.

“A message to people coming here from other resorts: It is not too late to stand with your colleagues, our families and the community we truly care about. Say no to the striker and return to your own resorts and communities,” Klingensmith said.

Meanwhile, union officials said they remain committed to securing a fair contract and continuing to work.

“I really just hope they surprise us and bring something (to the negotiating table) that our unity can get behind. That would be great,” Klingensmith said. “But it really feels like that’s not the intention.”

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