These Yosemite accommodations aren’t expected back in 2020 when national park reopens
A number of concessions in Yosemite National Park are expected to remain closed when the popular California park reopens, according to an internal memo written by union leaders representing Yosemite workers.
Yosemite Valley lodging, restaurants, stables and tours will be affected, either with closures or reduced operations.
The letter was circulated by Yosemite employees and written by union representatives Debra Rockwood and Enrique Fernández for their shop stewards. It outlines what Unite Here Local 19 was reportedly told during a call Thursday with leaders of the park’s concessionaire, Yosemite Hospitality, a subsidiary of Aramark.
An opening date for Yosemite has not been announced. Park officials said they are working on a phased reopening plan for Yosemite, which has been closed to the public since March. Since then, the only announcement by the Park Service and Aramark about a future Yosemite closure is the historic Wawona Hotel staying closed into 2021.
In the meantime, laid-off workers living in Yosemite have been guessing when they will be able to return to work – and if there will be a job available for them when the park reopens.
What will be closed in Yosemite?
If Yosemite does reopen this year, it will be without shuttle buses. About 90 bus drivers and transportation workers were told this week that they have to be out of the park by May 21 – the first reported Yosemite evictions based solely on layoffs caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Mountain Room Restaurant at Yosemite Valley Lodge, Degnan’s Loft and Aramark’s mountaineering school and guide service will reportedly be closed in 2020.
According to the union letter, a number of facilities that normally only stay open into the fall will also remain closed this year. That includes horse stables, swimming pools, Housekeeping Camp, Crane Flat store, High Sierra Camps, White Wolf Lodge and Yosemite Valley tour services.
Yosemite officials said this list was not written or disseminated by the Park Service, and that planned closures will be announced when finalized.
Changes at park hotels
The letter also outlines what’s expected this year with Yosemite lodging:
Yosemite Valley Lodge: The lodge can open with 100% occupancy and its Mountain Room Lounge bar will stay open.
Curry Village: Half of the lodging will be open.
The Ahwahnee: The hotel can fully book, but its dining room will only be for hotel guests, and there won’t be room or valet service.
Yosemite employees and Aramark
When asked about the list circulating Friday of Yosemite facilities expected to stay closed, an Aramark corporate spokesman said questions about park reopening plans were best directed at the Park Service.
Earlier Friday, when asked about Yosemite layoffs and evictions, an Aramark spokesman said for those having trouble finding lodging outside the park, the company would help them on a case-by-case basis. The spokesman also said: “Conversations about the reopening of Yosemite are ongoing, however, it’s clear that, when it does, some guest services and offerings will be impacted to protect employees and visitors, as well as help control the spread of COVID-19. These are unprecedented times that, unfortunately, will require incredibly difficult decisions and we are committed to working with and assisting associates affected by them. Like all park enthusiasts, we look forward to resuming operations and welcoming back visitors and employees as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
The union letter, also written Friday, concludes by stating Aramark will start posting bids for jobs (in some cases, moving park workers to new Yosemite positions) and informing affected employees.
Aramark normally employs around 1,200 Yosemite workers. A lower number is expected in 2020.
“No doubt this will be hard on many of our co-workers,” the letter reads. “Yosemite workers are tough. Together you went through floods, fires, governments shutdowns and many different companies. Nothing stopped us from moving forward in ‘our’ Valley.”
This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 8:11 PM with the headline "These Yosemite accommodations aren’t expected back in 2020 when national park reopens."
