A simple post from Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association (TPSPA) about an upcoming December 18th fundraising happy hour event at a French restaurant in town contains a message that will likely have resort officials considering coming back to the negotiating table and or a game plan should they strike. The fundraiser event is set for December 18th at La Marmotte and its announcement includes a line about ski patrollers insulating themselves financially in the event of a strike:
Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association (TPSPA):
Come join us at La Marmotte for happy hour, and then stay to try their new winter menu. A portion of the nights proceeds will benefit the Telluride Professional Ski Patrol. Help us by filling up the restaurant and tipping your server. Reservations can be made through La Marmotte directly.
Our fundraising goal right now is not just about insulating the patrol from the effects of going out of work if the company does not come back to the table, but trying to position ourselves to help those most vulnerable to the impacts of a work stoppage. We appreciate everyone’s support so far as we navigate this tenuous time, it means more than we can put into words. -TPSPA
The happy hour fundraiser comes on the heels of a nearly unanimous vote (99% majority) rejection of Telluride Ski Resort’s “final” contract offer which included a 9% per person raise. The ski patrol union had been seeking a 30% increase but had lowered the request to a 25% increase.
As we have reported in the past, a potential ski patrol strike could have very severe impacts on Telluride Ski Resort’s ability to operate this winter reducing, their chairlifts and terrain to a fraction of what is normally available. This is a developing story and we will be sure to update as new information becomes available.
