Yosemite Workers Poised to Begin Park’s First Walkout
The first strike in Yosemite National Park’s 95-year history could begin as soon as today, Teamster Union officials said Wednesday.
A Teamsters local based in Modesto represents bus drivers, mechanics, gas station attendants and maintenance workers who are employed by the Yosemite Park and Curry Co., the concession firm for the park.
Curry Co. President Ed Hardy said the company can “provide quality services if there is a work stoppage.”
The strike was authorized late Tuesday night after the 100 members of Teamsters Union Local 386 turned down the latest contract offer from the Curry Co. Union officials said a walkout could begin as early as 9 a.m. today.
Wayne Schulz, National Park Service concession contract manager, said that although service stations and tour buses would be affected by a strike, there will be no interruption in essential park services if the walkout is “of relatively short duration.”
The Memorial Day weekend at the end of the month is one of the park’s busiest times of the year, with an estimated 75,000 visitors expected this year.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
