Keystone Ski Patrol Union and Vail Resorts Clash Over Wages and Medical Care Priorities
KEYSTONE, CO – A simmering labor dispute between the Keystone Ski Patrol Union (KSPU) and Vail Resorts has escalated, with both sides clashing over wages, benefits, and the prioritization of medical care for injured skiers and snowboarders. The discord stems from recent contract negotiations, where Vail Resorts presented a counter-proposal to the union’s wage demands, introducing a new "mountain complexity" pay incentive for its non-unionized patrols, while simultaneously appearing to devalue the importance of advanced medical certifications within the Keystone Ski Patrol.
The KSPU contends that Vail Resorts’ proposal not only undermines the value of their highly trained medical personnel, but also jeopardizes the safety of guests on the mountain. According to the union, Vail Resorts suggested during negotiations that patrollers should prioritize transporting injured guests off the mountain rather than administering immediate medical care. This stance has alarmed the KSPU, who view on-mountain medical interventions by paramedics and EMTs as critical to positive patient outcomes, particularly in cases of severe trauma. The Keystone Ski Patrol boasts a commendable record, having responded to approximately 3,000 guest incidents last year, the majority of which were medical in nature. Their dedication to high-quality pre-hospital care was recognized with the EMS Agency of the Year award in 2022, a testament to their commitment to guest safety. The union highlights the frequency of serious incidents, including life-threatening emergencies, emphasizing the crucial role of highly trained medical professionals in providing immediate, on-site care.
Vail Resorts, however, has refuted the union’s claims, characterizing them as "misinformation." In a memo circulated to Keystone employees, Shannon Buhler, Keystone Resort’s Vice President and General Manager, asserted that the company values the advanced medical skills of its patrollers and that the proposed wage structure includes skills-based pay for EMT and advanced EMT certifications. Buhler emphasized that the company is not reducing wages for patrollers with higher medical credentials, nor are they eliminating specialty team skills-based pay. She reiterated Vail Resorts’ commitment to good-faith negotiations and expressed respect for all Keystone employees, including the ski patrol. Buhler’s memo underscored the collective responsibility of all resort departments in ensuring mountain safety, suggesting a collaborative approach is essential for a safe and enjoyable guest experience.
The core disagreement between the two parties appears to revolve around the interpretation of Vail Resorts’ proposed wage structure. While the company claims it includes skills-based pay for medical certifications, the union argues that this new system offsets gains by reducing or eliminating other existing incentives, effectively diminishing the overall compensation for patrollers with advanced medical training. This perceived devaluation of specialized medical skills has raised concerns within the KSPU, who believe it could discourage patrollers from pursuing higher medical certifications, potentially impacting the quality of care provided to injured guests. Furthermore, the union’s assertion that Vail Resorts is discouraging on-mountain medical treatment in favor of rapid transport remains a point of contention, raising questions about the company’s prioritization of guest safety versus operational efficiency.
The KSPU is actively soliciting testimonials from individuals who have received medical care from the Keystone Ski Patrol. These accounts will be used during negotiations to underscore the importance of maintaining a highly skilled and adequately compensated patrol team. The union believes that personal testimonies will effectively demonstrate the direct impact of skilled patrollers on positive patient outcomes, thereby strengthening their argument for a fair wage structure that recognizes and rewards advanced medical training. This public appeal for testimonials highlights the union’s efforts to garner community support and bring public pressure to bear on Vail Resorts during the ongoing negotiations.
The ongoing dispute between the Keystone Ski Patrol Union and Vail Resorts underscores the complex dynamics between labor and management in the ski industry. While both sides express a commitment to guest safety, their differing approaches to achieving that goal have created a significant impasse. The union’s concerns about the potential erosion of medical expertise within the patrol, coupled with their allegations of a shift away from on-mountain medical care, raise important questions about the future of ski patrol services at Keystone. As negotiations continue, the outcome will likely have far-reaching implications for both the patrollers and the guests they serve. The resolution of this conflict will necessitate a careful balancing of the interests of all stakeholders, ensuring both the financial well-being of the patrol and the continued provision of high-quality medical care on the mountain. The public’s response to the KSPU’s call for testimonials will likely play a significant role in shaping the narrative and influencing the final outcome of these crucial negotiations.