Why Ski Patrollers are Picketing at Two Vail Resorts

[ski diva]

Vail and Stevens Pass, to be exact.

The patrollers want Vail Resorts to negotiate a contract and provide training, fair wages, a safe and healthy workplace, and respect for what they do. It's not officially a strike -- they say it's an informational picket.

There's an interesting article about this on Outside online. You can find it here.

 

[SallyCat]

The wage structures are pretty shocking, and I didn't think patrollers made much to begin with. But the saddest part of that piece was the request for waterproof uniforms. The sheer cruelty and indignity of providing cheap, substandard outerwear to employees who work outdoors in the winter is astonishing.

 

[altagirl]

That really is just obscene. They finally provided N95 masks last week? They are first responders. And it's a job requiring a lot of specialized skills. High turnover due to ridiculous pay structures in something so important doesn't exactly make you feel safe.

 

[Christy]

When we've had discussions of tipping ski instructors I've thought, they need a union. Why are they so poorly paid that customers need to subsidize a resort's labor costs? I wish the patrollers the best of luck. There was a little local coverage of the issue last year, around when the pandemic started, and then I guess we all got distracted. It's an uphill battle I'm sure.

https://crosscut.com/2020/06/stevens-pass-ski-patrol-union-shreds-vails-unfair-labor-practices

 

[newboots]

I think it's appalling. Specialized skills, yes! It's not even just being a great skier and having advanced first aid. It's outdoor-specific first aid, which is more advanced. And techniques for skiing with a loaded sled. And quick life-or-death assessment skills. Vail requires OEC or EMT certification.

And . . . working in every possible kind of condition. Including rain. Below zero wind chill. Putting in long hours. Skiing with annoying crowds of tourists, including those who don't know how to ski but are starting from the summit on a double diamond. Rescues from the lift. Heart attacks. Yikes! Brave women and men!