Vail Resorts’ legal struggles continue. Multiple lawsuits were filed in California against the resort from a plethora of employees that worked for the resort. According to Vail Daily, the company failed to comply with the federal and state laws by “failing to pay reimbursements for equipment, as well as compensation for time staff spent training, in meetings or on meal breaks, getting on the mountain and gearing up before shifts.” In December of 2020, a similar set of cases were also filed in Colorado.
In response, Vail Resorts has offered a settlement of $13.1 million to the plaintiffs in California cases. There are some flaws to this offer though: For one, up to $4.36 million in legal fees could be taken off the deal in order to get through the ordeal. Secondly, the $13.1 million settlement is 12.1% of what the plaintiffs want: $108 million dollars. With the other fees being factored in, each individual plaintiff would get an average of $82 dollars out of this. Individuals in the Colorado case believe the settlement will be a larger amount.
Here’s how the settlement process works in this instance: employees who filed suit can cash the checks that were offered as part as the settlement. Those who wish to proceed with the case will do continue the struggle by “filling out a form or by choosing not to deposit the check they receive.” Fifteen to thirty percent of individuals in these types of cases typically deposit the check. An allocation formula will “determine how much each employee should receive based on how long they have worked for Vail Resorts, when and where they worked and the position or positions they worked” at the company. Those with on-mountain positions will receive more from the case than those who work off the slopes. With the low amount of money being offered, it’s likely many of the plaintiffs will go forward with the lawsuit.
The news follows dozens of complaints with the Washington Attorney Generals’ office regarding Stevens Pass, in which the AG has responded that the state is looking into the complaints about the experience so far this season.
Image Credits: Vail Resorts, Northstar, Heavenly
