“NOT ON STRIKE JUST PRACTICING,” read the bold white letters on the red picket signs, some hoisted up with ski poles.
On Saturday, a dozen off-duty ski patrollers from Stevens Pass ski resort stood outside city hall in downtown Leavenworth, Washington, the Bavarian-themed tourist town 40 minutes from the mountain. They waved these posters while passing out “I SUPPORT SKI PATROL” stickers and informational palm cards that read: “We need your help to pressure Vail Resorts to negotiate a contract with us and provide training, fair wages, a safe and healthy workplace, and respect for what we do.”
Eight hundred miles away, eight of Utah’s Park City Mountain ski patrollers gathered on Lowell Avenue, by one of the resort’s main entrances, also handing out cards. “Our contract expired on November 14th,” their cards read. “We need adequate sick time, hazard duty / pandemic pay, guest and worker health safety, and respect for professional ski patrollers. Help us sen