More than 600 federal employees at Yosemite National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park in California have voted by a wide margin to join the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). The new members include park rangers, recreation specialists, firefighters, forestry workers, maintenance staff, facility operation specialists, and others.
This move is part of a broader organizing strategy between the IAM Organizing Department and NFFE-IAM. Existing master agreements with agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service are expected to provide immediate protections for these new union members.
“Federal employees at Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks realized the only way to have a voice in this political climate was to form a union. The IAM has all the necessary resources to make it happen for them and other National Parks across the country,” said Jerry McCarty, IAM Assistant Organizing Coordinator.
Art Jackson, IAM Organizing Special Representative, added: “Federal workers are facing a changing landscape that the current administration designed to keep them guessing about their employment security. These National Park Service workers ensure that Americans can visit and enjoy these beautiful national treasures now and for centuries to come. They now stand tall and proud like the Sequoia trees they protect because they know life and work is better in a union.”
The National Park Service continues to face staffing shortages nationwide. Many positions remain vacant, with some hourly wages ranging from $17.60 to $21.47 for wage grade 5 roles. Staff often work holidays, weekends, and mandatory overtime due to year-round operational needs.
“We are having great success in union elections with federal workers right now because NFFE-IAM and the IAM Organizing Department understand the assignment,” said Juan Eldridge, IAM Assistant Organizing Director. “The IAM Organizing department has solid experience with Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) elections, and these workers need union representation without delay before some of the Trump administration’s job actions take effect without the workers’ input.”
Jody Bennett, IAM Resident General Vice President, stated: ”It just makes sense that they get professional representation from a union like no other, the IAM Union. We have a proven record of fighting for federal government civilian workers with NFFE-IAM, and new members choose us because we know the drill and get results.”
Additional representation elections are scheduled nationwide for more federal service employees seeking unionization.
