Ski Patrollers Explain Why They Support Unionization
The conversation around ski patrol unionization efforts has heated up this season, with patrol teams across North America rallying for better pay and benefits.
The Eldora Mountain Resort, Colorado patrol team officially began the unionization process this past October. Now, they're sharing why they started down this road in the first place.
This video shared several quotes from the Eldora patrollers about why they support unionization:
"Because after 6 years of working here I don't qualify for health insurance."
"Because we don't get overtime until working more than 56 hours in one week."
"To help retain patrollers."
"So we can be compensated fairly."
"To help improve our working conditions."
"Because we want a seat at the table and a say in our future here."
Eldora's patrol team is still waiting for a union election vote held by the National Labor Relations Board. If they win the election, they can begin contract negotiations with Eldora's owner, Powdr.
In February, an Eldora representative told Denver7 that they didn't believe unionization would benefit their guests and that they pay their patrollers competitively. Patrollers start at $19 an hour, with a jump of $20.50 after paid pre-season training. As of 2021, the mean hourly wage in nearby Boulder, Colorado, was $35.27.
Patrollers can also receive pay increases if they complete specific certifications or have qualifying experience.
To the patrol team at Eldora, which, according to its mission statement, is pursuing unionization "as a solution to the increased cost of living and visitor numbers of modern day mountain life," that compensation isn't enough, though. "We feel an urgent need for change in order to envision a sustainable future in patrol work."
Related: Avalanche Fatality Reported Near Montana Ski Area
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