Message from the Director
Staying safe during COVID-19
By Fred Timpner, MAPE Executive Director
This country is facing a state of emergency like no previous generations of Americans have ever faced before. It is not the time for politics, blame or recriminations. If one wants to engage in 
that sort of thing, there will be plenty of time for that later. Now is the time that we all should band together to support the effort to combat this insidious disease.
As first responders and public employees, the very nature of our professions puts us in the forefront of the battle against the spread of COVID-19. Our work puts us in high risk of being exposed, if not infected with the virus.
As such we are advising everyone to put your safety and that of your family first. We are insisting for those of us who continue to work, the Employer provide the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) recommended by the CDC and the medical profession. In other words, N95 or greater masks, disinfectant etc.
If the Employer balks at issuing appropriate PPE or refuses to follow CDC guidelines, then please notify your labor representative immediately so that we may bring pressure to force the Employer to comply. After all, isn’t it to their advantage to see to it that we are protected? We are of no use if we become sick or infected. We then become spreaders of the virus infecting others we come into contact with, including our Employer, co-workers and members of the public.
Governor delivers 'What's Next Address' to state legislators, leaders
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her What’s Next Address to state legislators and leaders, outlining priorities for the fall.
Her address focused on public safety, strong unions, health care, economic growth with new businesses and jobs, environmental protections, clean energy, safe roads, affordable housing, paid family and medical leave, election security and streamlining the permitting process for advanced manufacturing, housing and more.
Since taking office, the Governor and legislature have provided strong economic growth to help anyone ‘make it’ in Michigan. Michigan has added 63,000 jobs year over year; the unemployment rate is 3.6 percent, the lowest rate in 23 years; and the state has won 16,000 jobs and secured $16 billion of investment with economic development tools that bring manufacturing and supply chains home from China. Whitmer is focused on continuing to grow the economy and create jobs to make Michigan more competitive, improve energy efficiency, expand opportunity, and protect people’s fundamental rights.
Sterling Heights Technical Professionals
CONTRACT
“I was really happy with the way our negotiations team all worked together on this,” said Sterling Heights Technical Professionals Local Union President Bob Sergott. “We come in 20 minutes earlier every day. Twenty minutes earlier isn’t as dramatic as two hours later like they do in some other places. It’s nice, I have (my day off) tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to it. The new schedule was passed by 90% of the members, and keep in mind, most of my members don’t have a pension and … got their 401k (DC plans) significantly increased too because of it. Getting that 401k (DC) plan increase, from 4% to 7%, who doesn’t want that? And you get an additional day off. The equity wage adjustments watered down to better than a 2.5% increase. (The City) had jobs that were severely lacking in wages, like the library positions, where they can’t hold onto Employees. They leave after 6 months. Certain positions were a tremendous win because they weren’t competitive wages with other communities, so we were able to get those increased – the library and a couple positions that had leadership roles and a few financial sector positions.”
Wage Increases:
2% increase effective July 1, 2023.
2.5% increase effective July 1, 2024.
3% increase effective July 1, 2025.
- Employees also received equity wage adjustments for some classifications to make their wages more comparable to jobs that are similar in nature.
- Several Supervisors received equity adjustments to increase the wage gap between them and their subordinates, bringing them more in line with other Supervisors.
New MAPE Labor Specialist is known for his dedication, outstanding service to members
By Jennifer Gomori, MAPE Editor
Retired Waterford Township Police Sgt. Chris Belling received the inaugural Richard C. Heins Outstanding Service Award in 2019 for exceptional representation of his Local MAP unit. Now he’s sharing that expertize with all Union members.
Belling was hired as a MAPE Labor Relations Specialist in July 2023. The Road Patrol Sergeant retired from Waterford PD in 2020, after spending most of his law enforcement career as a MAP member and a decade serving in various roles on the Local Union Board.
“Pretty much my whole career I was a MAP member, definitely, 20 of the 21 years,” he said.
Belling started representing co-workers as a Local Union Steward for Waterford Township Police Officers Association. He was voted onto the board as Secretary and ran unopposed in subsequent elections, serving as Local Vice President and President.
“I was Vice President for four years and then I became President until I got promoted to Sergeant at the beginning of 2020, just prior to retiring,” Belling said. “And that’s when I went into a different union for Command.”
Belling is known for his honesty, integrity and dedication to the Union, coming into work after hours and on days off to handle negotiations and other Union business. Nicknamed Triple B “By the Book Belling,” by members, he was known for following rules and procedures and holding himself, coworkers and supervisors to the same standard.
“During my time as a board member with Waterford PD, I negotiated several contracts or assisted with negotiating several contracts with Waterford Patrol Union. I also was involved in several discipline hearings and grievances that had been filed,” Belling said. “I always liked to be involved in the Union. For one, I wanted to be involved in contract negotiations, but I also have a pretty high standard of ethics and honesty and I wanted to make sure my coworkers, when being disciplined, were being treated fairly and their rights weren’t violated as Employees.”
Deadline to apply for retroactive PACT Act VA benefits extended to Aug. 14
One of the deadlines for eligible veterans to apply for PACT Act-related benefits has been extended due to website technical issues. Applications for retroactive benefits to Aug. 10, 2022 must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023.
Those who are newly eligible for VA health care under the PACT Act must apply before Sept. 30.
According to the VA’s message, "Due to high volume, some Veterans have received error messages when submitting their intent to file PACT Act claims. If you received one of these messages, don’t worry! We have logged your intent to file and saved your effective date for benefits."
To expedite assistance, veterans should contact their county veteran services office if you are experiencing issues with the online portal, wrote Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, in an email notice to constituents. Listed below is contact information for MI-07 county offices:
Oakland County: Pontiac Office: (248) 858-0785 or Troy/South Oakland Office: (248) 655-1250
Livingston County: (517) 546-6338
Ingham/Clinton County: (517) 887-4331
Shiawassee County: (989) 743-2231
Genesee County: (810) 257-3068
Eaton County: (517) 543-3740
Eligibility under the PACT Act includes people who served in combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War, or who served in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after Nov. 11, 1998. To receive benefits under the PACT Act, you must have been discharged or released between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013, and must have not enrolled in VA health care before now. Veterans that have left service after Oct. 1, 2013 have ten years from their separation date to apply for benefits as allowed by the regulations.
FY24 state budget focuses on rebuilding infrastructure, additional funding for public safety initiatives
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an $81.7 billion Fiscal Year 2024 budget with a focus on rebuilding infrastructure, funding public safety and healthcare programs, and creating good-paying jobs through economic development programs.
The budget includes $26.7 million to provide a 5 percent increase (4 percent ongoing and another 1 percent ongoing to communities that obligate all available American Rescue Plan dollars) in statutory revenue sharing to help counties, cities, villages, and townships; and new dedicated statutory revenue sharing funds, 2 percent one-time for public safety initiatives; plus, an additional $64 million over current year funding in constitutional revenue sharing payments.
From 2019 through the end of this construction season, nearly 20,000 lane miles of road and 1,400 bridges will be fixed. Funds to rebuild infrastructure have been earmarked for fixing roads, replacing lead pipes, building housing, and more:
Roads, Bridges, Transit, Electrification
- $416 million to fix roads and build up public infrastructure.
- $80 million supporting Michigan's Bridge Bundling program to replace or rehabilitate more than 20 structurally deficient bridges.
- $50 million for Intermodal Capital Investment Grants to support investments in rail, marine, intercity, and local transit infrastructure that have the potential to leverage federal funding opportunities.
- $21.3 million for clean energy and electric vehicle infrastructure investments.
- $52.9 million for the Information Technology and Investment Fund for modernization of legacy IT systems supporting local income tax collections for those communities that elect to participate, environmental permitting and inspection, groundwater protection, occupational safety and health, and talent recruitment and retention.
- $1 million to begin the transition of the State of Michigan’s fleet to electric vehicles.
- $5 million for a critical mineral recycling research hub.
Register now to attend free MAPE Seminars, Trainings in-person or via Zoom
MAPE Stewards and Local Executive Board Members can stay up-to-date on key labor relations issues by registering today for free summer and fall MAPE Seminars and Trainings.
The Seminars and Trainings will be conducted by MAPE Executive Director Fred Timpner and Assistant Executive
Director Jerald James. Members may attend in-person or join via Zoom. Zoom attendees will receive an invite link to participate.
The Friday Seminars and Trainings are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MAPE Office. Lunch will be served.
Expand your knowledge about these Union-related topics on the following dates:
- Union Steward Training – July 21 & Oct. 20, 2023
- Grievance Seminars – Discipline & Contract Interpretation – Aug. 18 & Nov. 17, 2023
- Collective Bargaining Training – Sept. 15, 2023
Please contact Julie Palmquist at (248) 509-7159, Ext. 231 or email her at
2023 Carl Parsell Scholars share passion for careers, helping others
By Jennifer Gomori, MAPE Editor
2023 Carl Parsell Scholarship recipients Nolan Campbell of Shelby Township and Marisa Fisher of Sterling Heights share a passion for their future careers. Now they each have $2,500 in scholarship funding to help them achieve those dreams.
While they are at different points in their educational journey, Fisher, a Central Michigan University junior, and Campbell, who graduated high school in May, began preparing for their careers in high school and enjoy helping others in their communities and schools. Both have earned honors for academic excellence.
The two were formally recognized at the 33rd Annual Carl Parsell Memorial Golf Outing on June 8, 2023 at Links of Novi.
The Carl Parsell Scholarship Fund, established in 1991, continues the legacy of Carl Parsell, a law enforcement union movement pioneer, by improving the lives and futures of others through education. Scholarships are awarded annually to Michigan family members of Michigan Association of Public Employees (MAPE), Michigan Association of Police (MAP) and Michigan Association of Fire Fighters (MAFF) union members.
Since the fund's inception, $143,000 in scholarships have been awarded. Scholarship funds are derived from the Annual Carl Parsell Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing.
Carl Parsell Scholar, son of law enforcement officers, plans career in cyber security
By Jennifer Gomori, MAPE Editor
Carl Parsell Scholarship recipient Nolan Campbell of Shelby Township has not one, but two parents in law enforcement and he also has aspirations of helping others through his own career.
“Like Carl Parsell, I want to help defend the rights of others,” Campbell wrote in his 2023 Carl Parsell Scholarship application. “I plan to attend Grand Valley State University and study Computer Science with a focus in Cyber Security.”
Stuart Raider of the Raider Dennis Agency (right center), a V.I.P. Sponsor of the Carl Parsell Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing, praised 2023 Carl Parsell Scholar Nolan Campbell (left center) pictured with his step-mother, MAP member Heather Marie Campbell and father Martin Campbell.
Campbell, 17, is the stepson of MAP member Heather Marie Campbell, a St. Clair Shores Police Sergeant. He is the son of Monica Harvey of Shelby Township and Martin Campbell of Macomb, who retired as an Eastpointe Police Lieutenant in 2022 after 26 years of service.
His $2,500 Carl Parsell Scholarship will help him focus more on his studies and worry less about the cost.
“This scholarship will help me achieve my dream to attend college,” he wrote. “If chosen, I will be able to take more classes at a time and to have more time to continue my involvement to support my community.”
He’s already done an excellent job of preparing to be successful in his pursuits, completing three computer science courses in high school. He graduated summa cum laude with a 3.75 GPA from Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills in May 2023 and received a 1220 on his SAT.
Carl Parsell Scholarship helps CMU student expand her higher education
By Jennifer Gomori, MAPE Editor
Marisa Fisher was looking to expand her college education and receiving a 2023 Carl Parsell Scholarship is helping her reach that goal.
The 20-year-old Sterling Heights resident is the daughter of MAP member Christine R. Fisher, a Sterling Heights Police Department Administrative Secretary, and Matthew Fisher. She graduated Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights in 2021 and has a 3.68 GPA at Central Michigan University.
Thanks in part to her $2,500 Carl Parsell Scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year, the Fashion Merchandising major now has dual minors in Journalism and Theater.
“School can be very expensive, but getting support from different scholarships is very helpful, because I am also adding another minor and that adds a lot more classes,” she said. “Getting a Carl Parsell Scholarship made it easier to be confident in my decision to add a minor in Journalism, instead of pushing it aside until I have more money to do it or just learning it myself.”
Fisher received $12,115 during the 2022-23 academic year through Central Michigan University scholarships and grants and a Pell Grant. Her career plans are to work as a fashion stylist or fashion writer/editor of a magazine. “One of my goals is to focus on sustainability in fashion,” she said.
She has been very involved on campus, while gaining experience in her career field. She’s a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society through Macomb Community College, where she attended her first year of college. She transferred to Central Michigan last fall and just completed her second year of higher education.
Dearborn Municipal Employees
CONTRACT
“We went from a self-insurance HMO to a HSA model. It’s beneficial in the first year because (deductibles) are fully paid. You still have to pay for your 20 percent co-pays,” said Mark Moriarty, Dearborn Municipal Employees Local Union President. “Starting in the second year, the ($2,000/$4,000) deductibles stay the same, but the HSA funding from the City goes to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for families. They were self-insured, which has its benefits, but, in the near past it was not a good funding model for them. When the rates were low, and there wasn’t a lot of change, the City could budget for it, but after COVID … the costs shot way up. This is more reliable and the City can budget for it, plus, you can carryover your HSA bank from the year before and you get that when you leave the City. One of the main things we did get was automatic promotions for the Office Assistants (OAs), who make up most of our unit. Promotion from an OA1 to an OA2 is automatic after 18 months. Before, if you wanted to get a promotion, you had to apply at another department unless there was an opening in your department or you applied for a promotion review. Promotions from OA2 to OA3 are now automatic after two years. Any Employees in a classification of 2 for longer than two years were advanced to the next highest equivalent or step increment at contract ratification. We said, ‘Let’s make this automatic because everyone is going to leave because they can’t get a promotion.’ For the length of this contract, we set it up so this continues forward as a progression to advancing their careers here. We also have a Me Too clause inserted in our contract regarding (bargaining agreements with) other units in the City. Unlike any other (department), they did offer us an early retirement for Employees with 25 or more years of service, as of June 30, 2022, who are at least 50 years old – instead of waiting until they’re 55 years old.”
“There was a delay settling the contract because we did have to go to mediation. We also filed for fact-finding with the state, so it was not an easy negotiation for this team,” said MAPE Assistant Executive Director Jerald James. “The contract was originally voted down, yet ratified by a narrow margin on the second vote. The extra time needed to settle this agreement yielded beneficial results for both sides by finding a solution for spiking health care costs and Employee advancement and retention.”
Contract Duration: 2-year agreement ratified Nov. 15, 2022 and effective 7-1-22 to 6-30-24.
Wage Increases:
2% increase effective July 1, 2022.
2% increase effective July 1, 2023.
- Additionally, all Employees who were in a Level 2 position for longer than two years were advanced to the next highest equivalent or step increment upon contract ratification.
Office Assistant Promotions: Office Assistant (OA) promotions are now automatic. Previously, OAs had to apply to a higher paying job classification in another department for promotion if there were no openings in their department or they applied for a promotion review. Now OA1’s have natural progression to OA2 after 18 months. OA2’s are promoted to OA3’s after two years. An OA1 paid $36,600 in 2022 receives another 2% wage increase on July 1, 2023 ($37,300), plus a promotion after 18 months to OA2, boosting pay to $41,800. OA2’s who are promoted to OA3 would receive an additional $1,700 annually on top of the 2% yearly raises.
- East Lansing Employees move to MAPE for attention to detail at a much lower cost
- East Lansing Employees
- Karoub Associates releases Michigan Government Directory for 102nd Legislature 2023-2024
- MAPE Local President receives Heins Outstanding Leadership Award for professionalism, resolving issues in-house
Page 1 of 3
