Eldora Patrollers Look to Unionize

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This report was updated on Oct. 26.

SAM Magazine—Nederland, Colo., Oct. 25, 2023—Colorado Public Radio (CPR) reported that 71 percent of ski patrollers and medical staff at Eldora Mountain Resort have signed cards in favor of holding a union election. This is the latest such unionization effort among ski area staff following lift mechanics and electricians at Crested Butte Mountain Resort that voted to form a union in July.

To petition the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a union election, 30 percent of the employees within a department need to sign and submit a union authorization card. Resort management and leaders at ownership group Powdr now have the option to voluntarily recognize the union, a move that would bypass the need for the petitioners to vote in an NLRB union election.

Eldora patroller Jake Miller told CPR, “People get to a point where they need insurance, they need to be able to afford rent in Boulder County, and they just can't do that with the job we have. We needed something to change.”

Eldora said in a statement that it opposed the union effort, but it would honor workers’ right to organize.

“[W]e believe that the best way to find consensus that results in positive outcomes is by having meaningful dialogue rooted in the history and culture of trust among our employees. We believe a union would not benefit our patrollers, employees, guests, or our company. Regardless, we respect—and will always continue to respect—the legal rights of workers to freely choose third-party representation, as we respect the rights of those who refrain and choose to be free from the restrictions of such activities.

“Eldora is committed to treating all of its employees with respect and dignity and to providing them with excellent benefits, optimum working conditions, and competitive wages,” the resort said, adding that the pay for patrollers is competitive among the industry.

A spokesperson for Eldora said new-hire patrollers start at $19/hour, and bump up to $20.50/hour after completing about four weeks of paid pre-season training. New hires with existing certifications, like EMT, start at $21.50, and returning patrollers “all make more per hour, based on experience, additional certifications, and performance,” the spokesperson said.

At least half of Eldora’s 42 patrollers and medical staff would need to vote in favor of unionizing for the measure to pass. If successful, the patrollers would join the United Professional Ski Patrols of America, which falls under the auspices of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) 7781.

Read more about the recent uptick in ski area staff members unionizing in the September 2023 issue of SAM magazine.