Summary
The Trump administration has reversed its decision to cut thousands of seasonal jobs at national parks following public outcry.
A memo now allows for 7,700 seasonal hires, up from 6,300 in recent years. However, the move does not restore 1,000 full-time jobs lost in a broader federal workforce purge.
The backlash was fueled by fired employees like Yosemite worker Olek Chmura, whose viral social media post highlighted the impact of the cuts.
Park advocates continue pushing for full staffing exemptions to protect national parks.
The optimist in me sees that there was enough pressure from the masses that change happened. Maybe that means it can work elsewhere too. Maybe my optimistic side will be right for once.
Probably not, but it would cool, eh?
I think your optimistic side is right, pressure from the masses works. There are 100’s of examples from all over the world and from all parts of the past. The thing is that it doesn’t work fast. It takes time and commitment to make those in power feel the pressure.
we now live in a world where people’s attention spans have been eroded and our comfort level (for most) is just good enough that we aren’t going to move out of it unless things get really dire.
I think it will happen, but unfortunately I don’t see it happening until things get worse.
Sure it does. In fact, at the moment it’s more likely to happen if reaction is fast and strong. This happened within days.
Right now everything is about shock and awe and seeing what people can get away with. Corresponding reactions will have the most impact.
Very true and I’m really happy to see that it did work.
I was thinking more of removing trump and his lessor demons from power, or at least getting Congress to actually hold him accountable for his actions. That, I feel, will take a more sustained pressure from a large part of the population.