CALIFORNIA – The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) announced August 28 that 600 workers at Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks have voted overwhelmingly to unionize. More than 97% of employees at both parks voted in favor.

The newly organized members include rangers, educators, researchers, fee collectors, first responders, firefighters, and other staff.

“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,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin.

As of mid-2025, at least 148,000 federal employees have left the government under President Donald Trump, through a combination of firings, voluntary departures, and buyouts.

California workers join other National Park workers nationwide

NFFE staff and IAM organizers, with support from the internal committee, led the successful union campaign.

The election ran July 22–August 19, the parks’ peak season, allowing permanent and seasonal staff to vote.

The Federal Labor Relations Authority certified the results of the election on August 25, adding approximately 600 park employees to the union. 

Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon join Yellowstone, Cuyahoga Valley, Pictured Rocks, Gulf Islands, and other NFFE-represented employees across the Park Service, Forest Service, and BLM.

Union will work to boost staffing

Erwin added that NFFE will work to boost staffing and resources while protecting employees’ rights and their role in stewarding public lands.

“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,” said Erwin.