STATEMENT FROM EDDIE CHISM, PRESIDENT & THOMAS BELL, CAMPS VP

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We want to address and correct a false rumor circulating about our position regarding Camp staff and DPO IIs.

There is no truth to the claim that we are advocating for Camp employees to replace DPO IIs. We are not, and we have never supported any proposal that would undermine the DPO II classification or the work our members perform in the field.

At Monday’s meeting with the Department, both of us - President Chism and Camps VP Bell- made a clear and consistent recommendation to the Chief: Many Camp DPO I employees are prepared, qualified, and willing to promote into DPO II positions in the halls. Because promotional opportunities in Camps are currently limited, these promotions would create permanent staffing in the halls and help return Field Officers to their proper assignments.

Management acknowledged this and is actively evaluating the recommendation as a feasible option.

Internally, we continue to press for a long-overdue solution: promotions to DPO II based on years of service. As President Chism stated in the meeting, this is a journeyman’s issue, and we are committed to securing real promotional pathways for our members through negotiations.

Any suggestion that we are pushing Camps staff to “replace” DPO IIs is simply false. Our focus remains where it has always been - protecting classifications, fighting for fair promotions, and restoring Field Officers to the work they signed up to do.

In solidarity,

Eddie Chism, President

Thomas Bell, Camps VP