Workers at Yosemite National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks have voted to unionize under the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). According to the organization, more than 97% of eligible staff at both parks supported union representation. The newly organized group includes interpretive park rangers, educators, researchers, fee collectors, first responders, firefighters, and other employees.
The election was conducted from July 22 to August 19, during the parks’ busiest season when both permanent and seasonal workers were present. On Monday, the Federal Labor Relations Authority certified the election results. With this decision, about 600 workers are now represented by NFFE-IAM.
These two California parks join others such as Yellowstone, Cuyahoga Valley, Pictured Rocks, and Gulf Islands National Seashore where staff are also represented by NFFE-IAM. The union represents many federal land management employees nationwide in agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
“I am honored to welcome the Interpretive Park Rangers, scientists, biologists, photographers, geographers, and so many other federal employees in essential roles at both Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon to our union,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “By unionizing, hundreds of previously unrepresented employees have obtained a critical voice in their workplace and now have the power to make significant changes to benefit themselves and their colleagues.”
“It comes as no surprise workers in the National Park Service are overwhelmingly in favor of unionizing, as federal employees across the country have been faced with reductions in force, threats to workplace protections, and slashed agency budgets under this administration,” continued Erwin. “NFFE-IAM will be taking every step possible to increase both staffing and resources, and to defend employees from actions that threaten their rights and the incredible work they do stewarding our public lands. I look forward to working with the dedicated men and women who carry out the important mission of maintaining Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.”
