r/firelookouts • u/seloki • 13d ago
Consider joining your union
All US federal lookouts are represented by our Union, the National Federation of Federal Employees.
But did you know you can actually be a part of the Union? Dues are only $35.32 per pay period. That may seem like a lot, and that you may not get that investment back. I understand, it’s hard to give someone your money without any guarantee that you’ll get anything back from them.
Let me tell you about something the Union has done for me lately. This season, our lookouts got per diem for being at our lookouts. That’s $40.80 a day. Doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s $500+ per pay period. The Union was instrumental in getting this benefit for us, so $35.32 for $500+ is a fantastic return on investment.
Also, please be active in your Union. We’re starting a newsletter to let our members know what our Union has been doing. So many of our members don’t understand the work that is done on their behalf that it’s important to get the word out.
I hope that all my fellow USFS lookouts are already members and active in their local, but if not, here is a link to learn more
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u/seloki 13d ago
It involved changing our duty station. It used to be our lookout, so when we were at our duty station we didn’t get per diem. Now our duty station is the Ranger district office, so now we’re basically assigned to a remote station. We’re entitled to per diem because we’re not at home, or at our duty station.
It may be important to point out that none on my lookouts are accessible. You wouldn’t go home after shift. You live at your lookout, and get resupplied (with food you bought) every 3 weeks.