Following a 13-day strike that resulted in lengthy wait times for ski lifts and irate hundreds of patrons, members of the Park City Mountainski Patrol in Utah returned to work Thursday after the resort agreed to increase their wages by $2 per hour.
The Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association, which represents 200 workers at the nation’s largest ski resort, said the new deal, which will remain in place until 2027, offers entry-level ski patrollers and mountain safety staff a starting salary of $23 per hour.
According to the union, ski patrol veterans will typically receive an extra $4 per hour.
The resort and the union stated in a joint statement Thursday that the tentative deal will put an end to the present strike and address the interests of both sides. “The restoration of regular resort operations is anticipated by all.
Ski patrol members respond to medical crises and carry out mountain safety tasks like avalanche mitigation.
After eight months of negotiations, the union went on strike on December 27. Hundreds of visitors who traveled great distances with their families were angry when the resort was only able to accommodate a restricted number of guests during the strike.
Peter Nystrom, who lives in Minnesota, claimed that after spending over $20,000 to bring his family of eight to the resort, he discovered the strike, three-hour ski lift queues, and possibly hazardous mountain conditions.
“We thought going on this kind of once-in-a-lifetime ski trip would be a fun kind of Christmas gift,” Nystrom told NBC News. The lack of openness was the most annoying aspect.
“We are happy that the patrol union strike is over and we look forward to welcoming back our patrollers,” Park City wrote on its website, adding that more terrain would soon become available.