Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Workers Unionize With 97% Vote

Staff from two of California’s most visited National Parks have voted to unionize. The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) reports an election was held between July and August and more than 97% of workers at Yosemite National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park voted in support of organizing a union.

The Federal Labor Relations Authority certified the vote last week. With the completion of the vote, 600 workers at both parks including park rangers, first responders, researchers and educators will be represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees.

NFFE Press Release:

Washington, D.C. – Today, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) is proud to announce workers at Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks have elected NFFE to serve as their union representative. With over 97% voting in favor at both locations, Interpretive Park Rangers, educators, researchers, fee collectors, first responders, firefighters, and other staff at the two historic parks are now officially unionized. The IAM Union Organizing Department and NFFE field staff led the successful campaign, working alongside the internal organizing committee to secure this major victory.

The election was held during the peak of summer from July 22 to August 19 when the parks have their highest staff levels and both permanent and seasonal employees had the opportunity to vote. The Federal Labor Relations Authority certified the results of the election on Monday, adding approximately 600 workers to the union.

Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon join their fellow park service employees at Yellowstone, Cuyahoga Valley, Pictured Rocks, and Gulf Islands National Seashore, as well as many other federal land management employees across the U.S. Forest Service & Bureau of Land Management represented by NFFE.

Randy Erwin, NFFE National President:

“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.

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. NFFE 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.”