Park City Ski Patrol authorizes strike [Video]

PARK CITY — The ski patrol union in Park City announced Saturday that they have authorized a strike, following a contentious negotiation session with Vail Resorts on Thursday.

“Despite months of meetings, including the most recent bargaining session on the evening of Dec. 12, little progress has been made on a proposed wages, benefits and education package,” according to a union press release.

Regular picketing demonstrations have taken place across the mountain town since late November. During the Thursday negotiations, over 100 demonstrators gathered outside to support the group, the release says.

The meeting ended early, Vail Resorts Vice President Deirdra Walsh told the Park Record.

“The union walked out of negotiations when we were prepared to discuss their wage proposal,” Walsh told the paper. “We were ready to continue conversations, and it was disappointing to see them refuse any dialogue and leave the discussion abruptly.”

Union representatives say that Vail Resorts “has passed …