A looming government shutdown is set to take effect on Wednesday, raising significant concerns about the future of Philadelphia’s cherished historic sites, particularly Independence National Historical Park.
Union leaders from the National Park Service (NPS), representing employees at the park, have expressed alarm over potential closures, staffing reductions, and layoffs that may jeopardize both visitor access and the preservation of vital historical landmarks.
Ed Welch, the union leader for Independence Park employees, conveyed a disconcerting lack of communication regarding protocols for the impending shutdown, stating that staff members have not received vital guidance on the situation.
Welch emphasized that the union’s primary concern revolves around the potential job losses that may linger even after the shutdown is lifted.
“This is a little different this time because the administration is threatening layoffs in the midst of the shutdown,” he articulated.
According to Welch, the staffing situation has reached a critical level, with the NPS operations being reduced to a bare minimum that could compromise park management and safety.
The privately and publicly owned land and historical buildings at Independence National Historical Park are under the operational jurisdiction of the NPS, despite being owned by various entities, including the federal government and the city of Philadelphia.
Federal regulations mandate that agencies formulate their own guidelines for navigating shutdown protocols.
However, when asked for details, the U.S. Department of the Interior declined to comment.
Drawing lessons from past shutdowns, preparations have already begun at Gettysburg National Military Park to address the likelihood of similar closures.
Mark Cochran, president of AFGE Local 270, which represents over 2,000 NPS employees, disclosed that they have been organizing operational measures in anticipation of the shutdown.
The proactive measures taken at Gettysburg have become a routine response to the recurring threat of government shutdowns, Cochran noted.
Moreover, a group of retired national park superintendents voiced their concerns, urging U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to implement temporary park closures should a shutdown occur.
The retired superintendents highlighted the negative consequences of previous shutdowns, including vandalism of significant landmarks, damage to wildlife habitats, and an increased risk for visitors.
History has demonstrated that during the government’s last shutdown, which began on December 22, 2018, and lasted for a record-breaking 35 days, many national parks remained open but were left unattended by staff.
The consequences were immediate and striking: overflowing trash, unattended vault toilets, vandalism of historically important objects, and visitors lacking essential services.
The implications of reduced staffing at Independence National Historical Park, home to critical landmarks like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, could lead to locked facilities, closed exhibits, and a diminished experience for the estimated visitors.
Welch expressed his disapproval of the idea of allowing visitors to explore the park without sufficient staff present to provide meaningful interpretation and guidance.
“Our role is to interpret the resource — that’s what we do,” he stated emphatically.
Additionally, concerns about potential permanent job cuts have intensified.
Last week, the White House’s budget office instructed agencies to prepare for mass layoffs amid shutdown conditions.
Although federal law demands a 60-day notice before any layoffs, a significant concern remains for park employees as such announcements may not occur while workers are furloughed.
“If the shutdown lasts more than two months and they’ve notified us of a reduction in force, then we wouldn’t be getting back those people that were laid off,” Welch explained.
Both Welch and Cochran highlighted that the NPS was already operating under conditions of understaffing, a situation exacerbated in February with the dismissal of approximately 1,000 probationary NPS employees as part of a broader effort to streamline the federal workforce.
This action was synchronized with a temporary lifting of the freeze on seasonal hiring, allowing for the onboarding of around 5,000 seasonal workers.
However, these efforts have not been sufficient to address the substantial maintenance backlog facing parks, with Independence Park alone bearing millions of dollars in deferred maintenance work.
Cochran remarked, “The park service traditionally has been understaffed and underfunded for decades.”
He continued, stating, “People have to work multiple jobs in their role without compensation as there aren’t enough personnel to manage the workload.”
Despite the burdens, Cochran noted that many park employees remain committed to their mission of protecting and conserving the nation’s significant natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
However, Welch raised questions about how much further staffing could be reduced before the organization might struggle to fulfill its essential mission.
“The question is, how low can we go?” he pondered.
“Have we surpassed the threshold?”
Looking ahead to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, Cochran warned that the looming shutdown and persistent staffing shortages may hinder crucial preparations for an event expected to draw millions of visitors to Philadelphia.
He expressed concern over low morale, hiring challenges, and diminishing staff numbers that could jeopardize the city’s historic treasures.
“As the president of the union, I am worried that the visitor experience for the 250th will not live up to expectations due to the oppressive policies from our leadership,” Welch concluded.
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