Across our national parks, a new union movement is steadily growing as national park rangers are organizing themselves and winning new unions again and again.
And while getting “paid in sunsets,” as the saying goes, is clearly not enough to live on, these rangers aren’t just organizing for their fair share. They’re fighting back for all of us–against the censorship of our history, the loss of public lands, and more.
When our team first met with these rangers, they made one thing clear: the desire to unionize is there. There was just one obstacle: resources.
Rangers were already teaching themselves and each other how to organize, and sharing these lessons ranger to ranger, park to park. They’d already won elections, and were ready to build the movement by road-tripping from park to park, engaging in organizing conversations and sharing skills along the way.
They just needed the support to make it happen.
Those rangers–and our team–were blown away by what happened next. The Labor Force community showed up big time, and with solidarity and generosity made those road trips possible.
Y’all covered their gas. Their camping spots, diner meals, and peanut butter sandwiches. And because of you, more rangers are organizing.
Their work is just getting started, but here are some of the first report-backs from those organizing trips:
“The fundraising effort by The Labor Force and the donations received mean so so so much to me and my fellow park rangers. To feel the love, support, and concern for our rangers from the public, just makes me want to fight even harder and continue connecting with as many rangers as possible across the National Park Service. On my road trip I heard countless stories of rangers continually having to do more with less, nearing the edge of burnout on top of fearing for their livelihoods and the destruction and dismantling of the Park Service as we know it. It is so clear that one of the most important tools we have to fight back is to unionize and lift each other up during this incredibly difficult time. The rangers I got to meet in person got to feel the support from you guys and it truly meant so much. We even got new parks on board! I cannot thank you all enough, it truly means everything and I know we can win this fight together!”
-P., a seasonal NPS worker and organizer
“It makes such a difference to actually visit in person, connect with workers, and help new organizers find their footing by sharing the knowledge we’ve gained over the past year and a half. More broadly, it’s hard to express how difficult being a federal worker has been since 2025. Our careers and the mission we’re trying to carry out are constantly being threatened and undermined, and it sometimes feels like people on the outside — even friends and family — don’t quite understand. Unionizing and creating a strong labor movement within NPS is one of the few levers we have to push back. So this outpouring of support for us and the work we’re doing is incredibly meaningful and encouraging. I feel seen, and supported, and inspired to keep up the fight!”
-M., a ranger and organizer working in the Southwest
In Solidarity,
The Labor Force