Union wins recognition vote among federal park workers

By a 91-9 percent margin the Treasury Employees won union recognition among 1,300 National Park Service workers in the Washington, D.C., area.

“We look forward to developing an effective relationship with NPS management on behalf of National Capital Region employees,” said union President Colleen Kelley.

The workers include rangers, gardeners, and skilled trades workers.

“An agency with a workforce that is treated with dignity and respect, along with adequate resources and personnel, will be an agency that is well-equipped to meet its mission,” said Kelley, whose union is unaffiliated with labor federations. 

After the Federal Labor Relations Authority certifies the vote and the workers select a bargaining committee, negotiations will start on a first contract.  Like other federal workers, their bargaining does not include wages and benefits.

“NPS-NCR employees looked to our record representing NPS headquarters  employees, as well as our Customs and Border Protection unit and they saw our familiarity with the kinds of issues that interest and concern them, including scheduling, career ladder advancement, uniforms, job reassignments and promotions,” Kelley said, “NTEU looks forward to working with them to improve their work lives.”

Photo: National Treasury Employees Union Facebook page