Ski patrollers and paramedics at the Loveland Ski Area have recently filed a petition. According to the Colorado Sun, 70% of Loveland’s ski patrollers and paramedics signed the petition, which was filed to the National Labor Relations board on February 14, 2023. If successful, Loveland would join the Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Steamboat, Telluride, and Aspen ski areas as unionized ski patrollers.
Proponents of the union have cited cost of living and safety concerns as the reasons behind their decision. “If this is your only source of income, you will not work 40 hours a week and be able to live in the mountains close to your job” stated Allison Perry, a seven-year veteran of the Loveland ski patrol. According to Fox 31 News, Loveland ski patrollers earn $21-$28/hour, and many spend up to 5% of their pay on gas to commute to work. Ski patroller Perry told the Colorado Sun: “As everything gets more expensive, people start to get a little bit less enamored with the fact that we get to ski and start to realize that this is not sustainable and it’s not going to get cheaper to live in Colorado.”
Patrollers are also concerned with the dangers they face while on the job. According to OSHA, ski resort workers had the third-highest injury rate among workers in the United States. Because of this, the ski industry faces serious employee retention issues according to the United Professional Ski Patrols of America. Loveland is no stranger to this shortage. According to union organizer Isabel Aries, approximately half of Loveland’s ski patrollers quit by their second year.
Colorado skiers should pay attention to ski patrollers’ desire to unionize. Dangerous work conditions, low pay, and issues employing enough ski patrollers could threaten the safety of guests on the mountain.
Have you been injured in a ski, snowboard, or snowmobile collision? Contact Bloch & Chapleau’s experienced ski injury attorneys, Joseph Bloch and Trent Ongert. Call 303-331-1700 or 970-926-1700 to discuss your case today.
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