Workers at Yosemite National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks have voted to unionize under the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). The election, which took place from July 22 to August 19 during the parks’ busiest season, saw over 97% of participating staff voting in favor of union representation. The Federal Labor Relations Authority certified the results on Monday, officially adding about 600 workers to NFFE-IAM.
The newly unionized employees include interpretive park rangers, educators, researchers, fee collectors, first responders, firefighters, and other staff members. Both permanent and seasonal workers were eligible to participate in the vote.
With this decision, Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon join other national parks such as Yellowstone, Cuyahoga Valley, Pictured Rocks, and Gulf Islands National Seashore where employees are also represented by NFFE-IAM. The union also represents many federal land management workers across 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.”
