The move means that patrollers can negotiate a contract with the ski area regarding working conditions, wages and benefits, health insurance and other terms of employment. Patrollers will be represented by CWA in negotiations. The ski area can no longer change work conditions or terms without negotiating with patrollers first.

Al Kogler, administrative director for CWA District 7, said there is a seven-day appeal process, but he doesn’t anticipate that the results will be appealed. He said the next step is to establish a collective bargaining agreement between the patrollers and Telluride, which he said could be finalized in three to six months.

Telski said it will address the patrollers’ concerns and make sure the resort’s needs are met. “We are committed to working with them and the employees and the representatives to continue to provide a high level of service to our guests,” said communications manager Pepper Raper.

Telluride patrollers filed a petition with National Labor Relations Board on Jan. 2 to have the election. All full-time and regular part-time ski patrollers, dispatchers and snowmobilers employed by Telluride ski resort were eligible to vote.

The CWA currently represents ski patrollers at three other mountains: Steamboat and Crested Butte, Colo., and Canyons, Utah.