This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ed Welch, the 64-year-old president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2058 and an employee at Independence Historical Park in Philadelphia. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I’ve worked as a National Park Service employee for 27 years. As a park ranger, I discuss the Constitution every day — and every day, I watch it and 30 years of labor law being dismantled.
As a union leader, I represent folks from Virginia to Massachusetts. Since DOGE was formed in January, my local has had 27 terminations out of around 500 bargaining unit employees. As far as I know, most have been offered their jobs back, but I’m not sure how many have returned.
Under statute, the president and the Office of Personnel Management, or OPM, have no authority to fire low-level employees. We’re part of a government agency that handles disciplinary actions, hiring, promotions, and performance evaluations.
Right now amid the layoffs, considering our workers’ health problems is the priority for me as a union leader. How do you plan for a procedure in a month when your insurance is in question?
So far, the terminations have been of probationary employees
Many employees who have been let go are newer to the National Park Service. A buyout offer is also still in progress. The government is proposing a RIF, or a reduction in force, which is concerning because it could affect everybody.
What bothers me most is that we aren’t cogs, we’re human beings. We pay taxes.
I worked in the private sector before this, and in working for the government, I’ve found the most dedicated workforce I’ve ever seen, filled with people who delve into their specialty with passion.
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The layoffs have been devastating to witness
In my division, a young woman was doing a wonderful job. She’d been there eight or nine months, so she had three months left until she was no longer probationary. She received a letter that her work wasn’t up to performance standards, and the next day, she arrived to pick up her stuff.
It was a very sad scene. There were tears, and people were saying goodbye. She had moved from Missouri for her job. She had to break her lease, which meant she had to absorb a penalty.
About a week ago, she was reinstated, but she couldn’t take her job back. She had already moved back home, and not only was it costly, but it was also emotionally overwhelming.
What concerns me most is the future
I’m concerned for the many young folks, as it’s a young workforce. In the National Park Service, many employees have wanted to be rangers for their whole lives.
Two of my colleagues just announced their engagement. I’m so happy for them, but how do they plan for the future when they may be in a very different place next week?
I’m worried we will no longer attract the best and the brightest. It’s hard to imagine who would advise their children to get a job in the federal government and be treated like this. I think the people in charge don’t understand the ramifications of what they’re doing, or they don’t care. The American people do.
These agencies, positions, and laws were created for a reason, such as public safety or protecting resources that belong to us all. When you end these agencies and the services they provide, the people will suffer.
The funding cuts are troubling beyond the layoffs
Ten thousand people a day come through the Liberty Bell Center in the summer. Many historic buildings are delicate, and I’m worried about the risks if we don’t have the people to care for those buildings physically.
We have plumbing problems all over the park, and we don’t have plumbers. They make more money in the private sector.
Leaving everyone and everything in limbo is a form of cruelty as well. Every federal job is there for a reason. It’s a fallacy, in my opinion, that there’s waste in government. If there’s waste or people aren’t doing their job, it’s due to poor management.
I’m at least glad our work is visible
I feel privileged that the National Park Service has a leg up because people can see what we do.
I and other park rangers have had people approach us to offer support. Many have expressed that they’re so glad we’re still here. I am, too.
Do you have a story to share about DOGE layoffs? Contact this editor at [email protected].
