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The Park City Ski Patrol is officially on strike

The Park City Ski Patrol is officially on strike

According to the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association, about 200 patrol officers are participating in the strike. It is unclear how long it will take.

“We are deeply disappointed that the patrol union has abandoned arbitration and taken drastic action to disrupt mountain operations in the middle of the holiday season, when we have invested significantly in the patrol and their wages have increased by more than 50% over the last four seasons “and we have reached agreements on 24 of the 27 current contract terms,” Park City Mountain Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Deirdre Walsh said in a statement to KPCW. “We want to reassure our skiers and snowboarders.” We want to let our employees and this community know that despite the union’s actions, Park City Mountain will remain open, with safety as our top priority, and that all of the planned terrain will remain open thanks to patrol leaders Park City Mountain and our other mountain resorts will remain open. In addition to over 50% pay increases over the last four seasons, the current Park City Mountain Patrol proposal increases pay for the majority of patrol officers by an additional 4% and provides $1,600 per patrol officer for equipment. We remain committed to reaching an agreement.”

The union was scheduled to hold mediation talks with Vail Resorts officials Thursday evening as the two renegotiate a contract. Her previous contract expired in April.

The parties reached a tentative agreement on education and training packages on December 18, but continue to negotiate wages.

The union wants Park City Mountain owner Vail Resorts to raise base pay for patrol officers at all resorts from $21 to $23 an hour to offset statewide inflation. The group also wants Vail to increase compensation for more experienced patrol officers.

The union has also filed unfair labor practice complaints with the National Labor Relations Board against Vail over delays in negotiations.

Patrol officers will be posted in Mountain Village, Canyons Village and the intersection of Park Avenue and Deer Valley Drive on Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is confirmed.

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