Folks,
While out reporting on union busting in Yellowstone, I went on the RJ Eskow of the Zero Hour podcast to talk about my travels reporting on labor conditions in America’s most treasured National parks.
We talked about how rapid pandemic-driven gentrification as wealthy coastal types have moved to the area near national parks; making life harder for low-wage service workers.
As a result of the pandemic, scores of Americans are working remotely and have chosen to move away from higher-costing big cities to scenic areas, such as those found near many national parks in the West.
Already some towns in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana — many near ski resorts, national parks, and fishing spots — have seen a near doubling of rent in the last two years. In Montana, rent is rising faster than in any other state in the country during the pandemic.
With the rent increases, many retail workers have been forced out of housing near these national parks, leading to a widespread service sector shortage in tourist areas throughout Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.
Meanwhile, the workforce of our national parks are being increasingly privatized by groups like Aramark, Xanterra, and Delaware North. With the increasing privatization of the National Parks, good-paying federal jobs with union rights have been turned over to private contractors, who have driven down wages and busted unions.
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Love & Solidarity,
Melk
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