Grand Canyon National Park Workers Take Steps to Unionize Amid Federal Job Cuts
As federal job cuts continue to impact employees across various agencies, workers at Grand Canyon National Park are taking a stand. Plans are in motion to file union paperwork with the Federal Labor Relations Board, marking a significant move to protect their rights and benefits.
Triggered by the Trump administration’s decision to reduce jobs, this initiative is part of a broader movement among park workers in the Western United States. At Grand Canyon National Park, nearly half of the approximately 500 employees have already signed union cards, indicating strong support for unionization.
“I think a lot of us have put up with a lot for a long time just because we love our jobs, we love the Park Service. But we also want to be able to, you know, afford healthcare and afford our groceries,” says Michele Vaught, an organizer and employee at the Grand Canyon’s Backcountry Information Center.
The push for unionization began in February when the Trump administration attempted to terminate thousands of federal probationary employees. The Grand Canyon has since become a symbol of resistance for former employees and their advocates following last month’s extensive federal layoffs.
By joining the National Treasury Employees Union, the park workers aim to prevent further layoffs and secure employee benefits. Shanoa Totherow, another employee at the park since 2024, expressed the need for self-reliance: “I think we’ve had a realization that nobody is coming to save us, so we need to do something for ourselves.”
In addition to the Grand Canyon, employees at Glacier, Rocky Mountain, and Grand Teton national parks, along with those at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the National Park Service’s Denver Regional Office, are also seeking unionization. This follows the summer efforts of Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings national parks, which successfully formed their own unions.
Grand Canyon officials have stated they will respect the staff’s decision regarding unionization. “Employees are free to try to unionize. Management will respect whatever they choose,” wrote Grand Canyon spokesperson Joëlle Baird in a statement to KNAU.
Meanwhile, social services in Grand Canyon Village are preparing for an anticipated increase in demand as park employees face ongoing uncertainty.
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