NFFE Summer Organizing Campaigns Deliver Strong Growth in Membership Despite Pandemic Challenges

NFFE Western Region Business Rep. Max Alonzo discusses union benefits with potential members.
NFFE Western Region Business Rep. Max Alonzo discusses union benefits with potential members.

October 15, 2021

Over the last several months, NFFE Local leaders throughout the country, often with the assistance NFFE national business representatives, headquarters staff, and NFFE Council leaders, have been focused on organizing and increasing membership in their Locals, and experiencing great success. Results from recent summer organizing campaigns led to strong net growth in our Union throughout the Summer, with positive membership growth in several different agencies. In particular, Locals with membership at the U.S. Forest Service, Dept. of State/Passport, Department of Defense, and correctional facilities have accounted for the largest gains in NFFE membership in recent months. This net membership growth – particularly while COVID-related obstacles persist – marks a significant accomplishment for our Union.

“Thank you to all Local leaders for their commitment to growth and organizing in the face of unprecedented challenges,” said Ethan West, NFFE Organizing Director. “Your flexibility in using new and unfamiliar approaches to organizing is very much appreciated, and the results speak for themselves. NFFE has returned to pre-pandemic growth and has helped us re-established ourselves as one of the fastest growing Unions in this country. These successes are only possible because of the tremendous team effort to persevere in the face of adversity. Everyone deserves applause for turning our organizing goals into reality.”

NFFE encourages NFFE Locals to continue making membership growth a top priority. Anyone looking for help to grow their Local can reach out to their National Business Representative or to NFFE’s organizing department. Your Union will get you the resources necessary to plan for membership gains, then achieve it.

“I am so proud of the organizing success NFFE has experienced in recent months,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “Organizing is our core business, because everything we do to fight for our members is only possible because of dues-paying membership. The COVID pandemic has presented our Union with a lot of adversity, but we are now emerging out of that period as strong as we have ever been. As NFFE grows, our strength-in-numbers provides us with increased power to fight for our members on Capitol Hill, at the bargaining table, within the Administration, and elsewhere. I am so proud of all the hard work that was done to help this Union turn the corner. A big thank you to all who have helped NFFE grow this summer. I am excited about what the next chapter will bring for our Union is we build on our recent success.”