MMSA CEO cuts pay and expenses as skier visits drop

[Sierra Lady]

Tough times call for tough measures. I know since I was an unprepared casualty of the TOML budget cuts that began 3 years ago.

Rusty, I appreciate your post and link to the letter you had to give to the unlucky employees. That pretty much sums it all up.

Let's hope for brighter days ahead and more snow!

[TheSnowman]

... whatever happened to giving a two week notice? dislike

[cheapski]

I believe the notice is a courtesy in CA at least. You can be let go immediately with the check for the 2 weeks in hand.

I'm sorry for everybody involved top to bottom. Hopefully, people can be rehired in time.

[SnowtigerDaniel]

That's terrible about the lay offs . Kudos to Rusty for spelling out the reasons to all us knuckleheads on this forum.

[SnowtigerDaniel]

At that time I was pretty mad since I would be a paying customer "generating income for the mountain" who was being turned away.

You can also kick yourself for thinking that. I do believe the repairs are free.

[onegoodturn]

Thanks for the explanation Rusty. I can relate to everything you said. Totally understand why employees can't be given notice that they are going to be laid off.

I worked 22 years for the biggest most prestigious printing company in the West. With the advent of the internet and the economy getting worse the printing biz started having problems in 2007. So wages were cut, people that had been with the company for 20, 30 and more years were getting laid off. The owners and upper management did everything they could do to save us. Then in the summer of 2009 we were all gathered in a big room and the president of our company told us that the doors would close in 60 days. It's a federal law that if you have over I think it's 150 employees you have to give them 60 days notice when you are going under.

I freaked out because I had just bought my cabin in June Lake. I was sure that I would lose it. I felt bad for the young guys that had a family to support and a skill that wasn't going to be in demand much.

Things have worked out for me and the friends I had made over the years at my job. Everyone landed on their feet and are still enjoying their lives.

I know you stressed after you were let go SL but things are looking pretty good for you now.

Life happens....

[Stuie_Louie]

I feel for the impacted employees (been one more than once). I feel for Rusty (been in that role more than once too). There are no winners in this process...none. I appreciate Rusty opening up and sharing his thoughts with all of us, because he did not have to. I think that is some serious insight into who he is and that we should consider this as we all absorb this difficult time. At least I will.

I dunno what else to say...

[twins]

OGT,life does go on and when 1 door shuts another one opens.
I parted ways with my general contractor/boss 6 weeks ago after a 18 year working relationship.Now on my own again starting from scratch.Those long term employees will be battling the voices of doubt in their heads for awhile as I have/do every day.I wish them the best.

[onegoodturn]

... whatever happened to giving a two week notice? dislike

Think about it. Especially someone that works in IT could get pissed off and really mess things up.

When the company that I worked for was laying people off they wouldn't even let them get on their computer to send an email to everyone in the company saying goodbye.

Years ago in the '80s a small printing company went out of business in L.A. They gave their employees a 2 weeks notice. They stole everything they could before trashing the place.

[cheapski]

^^Yep. At the place I used to work, the employees came in one morning to find their computers locked.

One friend of mine went to her place of work one morning to find the doors chained. Not very subtle!

[SurfnSnowboard]

What a sad turn of events. It has to be heartbreaking for Rusty to lay off so many long time employees but that's his job - to make the tough decisions to keep the business running. We can only hope that snow falls in March and people flock to the mountain.

[TheSnowman]

Good point OGT...

[Biker395]

This is the ying and the yang of being an employer. It's great to hire people, give them bonuses, and watch their lives progress ... getting married, buying houses and having kids. But all that doesn't seem to amount to much when you ultimately have to let them go.

Not only do you feel bad for them, you feel as if you've personally failed them. I've been there and had a recurring nightmare that I ran over a puppy in the street for weeks afterward.

The lost income and benefits are obviously the most fearful and direct impact. But beyond that, long term employees, even after only a few years, become part of your extended family. Letting people like that go cuts deeper than the bare economic reality ... and on both sides.

My condolances to Rusty and all of the MMSA employees ... even those that didn't lose their jobs, cuz it sucks for them too.

[Brdrski]

This whole situation is heartbreaking for everyone involved - including people like us, who have been pass holders for years and have gotten to know, and become friends with, many people who work for the mountain. I feel absolutely sick for everyone involved. But I understand that this is a business - and the business needs to continue to operate. I'll be thinking of those who are no longer with the mountain, but I'll also be thinking of those who are.

[Biker395]

... whatever happened to giving a two week notice? dislike

Think about it. Especially someone that works in IT could get pissed off and really mess things up.

When the company that I worked for was laying people off they wouldn't even let them get on their computer to send an email to everyone in the company saying goodbye.

Years ago in the '80s a small printing company went out of business in L.A. They gave their employees a 2 weeks notice. They stole everything they could before trashing the place.

Nowadays, most employers give you a check worth two weeks and show you the door. It sucks, but It's prophylactic.