NFFE Local 34

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES Affiliated with the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO May 12, 2025 NFFE-IAM Members and Bargaining Unit Employees. We are writing regarding the Forest Service HRM guidance sent out on May 8, 2025, announcing interim caps on premium pay for Forest Service employees on fire assignments. The NFFE Forest Service Council (NFFE-FSC) worked with Congress to ensure that up to $9,000 of premium pay was authorized in the Continuing Resolution passed this February. NFFE-FSC is prepared to file a national grievance and take other legal action, if necessary, should the Forest Service attempt to withhold the premium pay that our members have earned and are legally owed. To ensure that we are prepared, NFFE-FSC recommends that all employees track any days that they are prevented from claiming premium pay because of the interim cap on premium pay. Some glitches in the NFC system may soon be resolved in the next several weeks, in which we are told this will be temporary. Please contact your Local to alert them if you are prevented from claiming premium pay before reaching the $9,000 annual cap. We hope that this guidance will be rescinded before that occurs. NFFE and the Forest Service Council will fight to make sure that backpay is provided quickly in the event any employees are prevented from claiming the premium pay they have earned. In Solidarity, Warner Vanderheuel National Federation of Federal Employees, Forest Service Council 1225 New York Ave., NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20005 . p: (202) 216-4420 . f: (202) 898-1861 .www.nffe.org

🚨Track your incident days! 🚨 We're hoping nfc gets it figured out but aren't holding our breath either.

#bettertogether #holdtheline #nffestrong #wildlandfirefighter #signalboost

Workers Memorial Day: Remembering those who lost their lives on the job—and fighting for safe jobs for every worker | AFL-CIO

On Workers Memorial Day, America’s unions mourn the workers who have lost their lives or been injured or ill on the job.

Every worker should be able to go home at the end of the day safe and healthy, and we’ll keep fighting like hell to make that a reality for EVERY worker.

Baker River IHC from the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie NF is ready for fire season and standing #unionstrong

@repkimschrier.bsky.social is hosting a town hall in Wenatchee on Thursday, April 17. Register to attend.

Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest Service employees return to work after mass terminations Okanogan-Wenatchee U.S. Forest Service employees returned to work on March 24 after being laid off on Valentine's Day.

“It’s not over yet. There’s going to be more challenges,” she said. “Like I tell my members—you know, buckle up, put the bite stick in—because it’s still going to get bumpy. But don’t lose hope. Keep that energy up.”

Love this!

WA's fired Forest Service staff got their jobs back ... for now Many Forest Service staffers who were fired by the Trump administration in February have been reinstated to their jobs, but job security is another story.

“In light of the lack of seasonal employees, the whiplash of firings and reinstatements, and the Trump administration’s long-term plans for a formal reduction in force at federal agencies, close observers are still skeptical that basic functions will be performed adequately.”

We’ll see you out there.

Trump’s War on Public Lands Moves to its Second Phase The Great Firing continues—and the next round of layoffs will reveal how much power over public lands the Trump administration will cede to corporations.

“DOGE directed all federal agencies to submit plans for Reduction in Force (RIF) layoffs by March 13. But as of March 17, USFS and several other agencies had not submitted their plans. This time, Musk is clearing the way to lawfully dismiss workers.”

And then they will come for the land.

Thank you Rep. Schrier. More Forest Service cuts are planned in the upcoming RIF, and we hear that firefighting staff and support will not be immune. This could have disastrous impacts to the communities of the Eighth District.

Slashing the Forest Service’s workforce and causing severe disruptions to their operations leaves the Eighth District vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires.

I recently spoke with KOMO on my work to defend our forest service workers and keep our community safe.

Local 34 representing in Seattle!

Alt Text: A digital flyer with a dark red background promotes the "Save Our Services: LET US WORK Mass Call" event. The main text is in bold white and light blue, with "LET US WORK" in large, uppercase white letters and "MASS CALL" in bold outlined text. Below, the flyer highlights four featured speakers with circular headshots: Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Robert Reich (Former Secretary of Labor & Co-Founder of Inequality Media), Liz Shuler (President, AFL-CIO), and Maurice Mitchell (National Director, Working Families Party). The event is scheduled for Thursday, March 13th at 8PM ET / 5PM PT, with a call to action in bold: "Register: bit.ly/march13RSVP." On the left side, logos of supporting organizations are stacked vertically, including the Federal Unionists Network (FUN), AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), Working Families Party (WFP), and MoveOn. At the bottom, white text reads "+ more!!" indicating additional speakers. The flyer visually emphasizes urgency and collective action against federal worker layoffs.

🚨 Trump and Musk want to fire federal workers, gut public services, and hand our government to billionaires. We’re not letting that happen.

📢 Join us this Thursday at 8PM ET for a mass call to hear how we fight back—together.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest asked the Town of Twisp help out with maintenance of local campgrounds and trailheads this summer, using funds the Methow Valley Ranger District does not have the ability to spend.

Hey Western Washington! March for Civil Service, March 14th. Show up at the Henry Jackson Federal Building in Seattle on 12 PM. Bring your friends. Let’s go!!

Schrier, colleagues ask for rescinding of forest service termination WASHINGTON, D.C.–Congresswoman Kim Schrier (D-WA) asked for terminated U.S. Forest Services to be reinstated and for the the Trump Administration to hold off on other workforce cuts.

I've called on the administration to rescind their U.S. Forest Service workforce cuts because, in Washington State, we treasure our public lands and know that keeping our forests healthy is vital both for recreation and for preventing catastrophic wildfires.
www.nbcrightnow.com/national/sch...

Leavenworth Town Hall March 11 at 7pm

Central Washington, turn up! Leavenworth Town Hall, March 11 at 7pm.

Happy International Women’s Day! This is what happens when you Google “Women in the Forest Service”. What a 🤡 show.

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie forest trail maintenance team decimated in February purge; local Forest Service office closing | Courier-Herald Former rangers Alex Ross and Cameron Schmodt say trail clearing, bathroom pumping, and trash collecting efforts will now be extremely limited inside the nearby national forest.

“Enumclaw’s Forest Service office will be closing, and three staff members have already been fired, as a part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s myriad funding cuts across the federal government.”

Trump fired these 5 WA Forest Service workers. What their absence means for you Many of the U.S. Forest Service workers fired by the Trump administration serve critical functions in the constant job that is maintaining outdoors spaces.

“Everything that doesn’t get done this year is going to increase the backlog,” Mason said. “It will probably take many years to catch back up.” —Alex Mason, former Methow Valley Ranger District trail crew worker.

Washington-based U.S. Forest Service rangers reinstated — for now Ahead of the busiest season for outdoor recreation, staffing for trail clearing, search & rescue, toilet cleaning and other duties is still uncertain.

“Most of us care so much about this work, we’re all going to fight for jobs. That’s why we’re out here,” she said. “We don’t want to leave. We don’t want to find other jobs. We got into this because it’s what we love to do. We love the lands that belong to all of us.”

We appreciate the support!

Doesn’t appear to relate to the vax from what we’ve seen but something definitely feels off.

Politico reporting up to 7,000 workers to be cut from the Forest Service.

“But some things are already clear to the people who manage the national forest. There won’t be enough employees to clear trails, maintain campgrounds and clean bathrooms, nor to care for the MVRD’S 22 horses and mules, which support trail work in the wilderness.”

Check in with your terminated friends! We also have folks we haven’t been able to reach since we don’t have their contact info.

Ray is a 10 year U.S. Forest Service veteran at the Methow Valley Ranger District who was recently promoted to permanent staff.

Elon fired him for no reason.

Unjustified layoffs like Ray's will end in closed trails, unprotected lands, and less people to help in emergencies.

Ray has gone above and beyond the call of duty during his career with the Forest Service. Workers like him are absolutely irreplaceable. We stand with Ray!

UTAH! It’s good to be #unionstrong