April 20, 2023
Today, the San Francisco regional office of the U.S. Federal Labor Relations Authority announced that the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) has been successfully elected as the union representative for the hundreds of U.S. Forest Service Employees on the Cleveland National Forest in Southern California. NFFE is proud to welcome over 110 new dues-paying members to Local 1650 and the broader NFFE family.
“I am really proud and excited to have our brothers and sisters on the Cleveland National Forest join NFFE as we fight for workplace improvements for Forest Service employees, especially wildland firefighter workforce reforms,” said NFFE Western Region Business Representative Max Alonzo. “This is another important step in our mission to have Congress pass legislation that will give USFS workers the pay and benefits they deserve.”
The Cleveland National Forest will join NFFE Local 1650, which has been the fastest growing local in the country in over the past year. Today’s election represents the largest addition of new bargaining unit members within the Forest Service in recent history. Nearly 95% of employees voting did so in favor of electing NFFE-IAM to represent them at the bargaining table and in the halls of Congress.
“As we wrap up a very successful wildland firefighter lobby week in Washington, this election result is excellent news,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “It is proof that the work this union is doing on Capitol Hill and the advocacy our members are doing across the country is having a real impact for Forest Service employees. NFFE has a permanent commitment to making positive changes and improving the lives of our membership and their families. I am so proud that the men and women of the Cleveland National Forest have enthusiastically decided to join us in this fight. Congratulations and welcome to the NFFE family!”