2020
A top flight staff of attorneys
Expert, specialized legal representation is an essential service element for any public employee professional union in the modern era. A complex body of laws and regulations governs the relationship between workers and their employers. Many of these are established to protect the rights of the employees. Importantly, the protection afforded by law and regulation is only as effective as a union's legal talent makes it.
The following firms perform MAPE's labor legal work:
Farrell & Associates P.C. M. Catherine Farrell is the principal in Farrell & Associates P.C., a law firm specializing in Labor and Employment Law.
Ms. Farrell was managing partner of Hoekenga & Farrell P.C., and was a senior partner and former managing partner of the law firm of Levin, Levin, Garvett & Dill P.C. which specialized in labor and employment law and transactional matters.
Ms. Farrell is also an active arbitrator. She serves as a member of both the commercial arbitration panel and employment law arbitration panel for the American Arbitration Association in the Detroit Region. Ms. Farrell holds a B.A. from American University, a M.S. from the State University of New York at New Paltz and a J.D. from St. Louis University.
The unique relationship between the Michigan Association of Public Employees and these highly skilled legal professionals is as important to the union's members as the firm's talent base. Over the years, the attorneys have teamed with MAPE's labor relations' specialists in literally hundreds of cases of all kinds providing representation that is unsurpassed by any other union.
MAPE union members and their families are encouraged to apply soon for The Carl Parsell Memorial Scholarship.
Fully completed, signed applications and any attachments must be received by The Michigan Association of Public Employees office no later than March 2, 2020 be considered for a $2,500 scholarship.
Qualifications include:
- Permanent resident of the State of Michigan
- Member of, or immediate family member of: Michigan Association of Police, Michigan Association of Public Employees or Michigan Association of Fire Fighters
- Applicants must complete a high school education or equivalent by June 30, 2020
The mission of The Carl Parsell Scholarship Fund is to assist members and their families who are motivated to improve society by enhancing their future careers through a college education. Carl Parsell Scholarships may be used to cover a portion of educational expenses, including tuition, living expenses, and other required fees during the 2020-2021 academic year. Scholars may use the award to attend any United States accredited university, college, community college, junior college, two- or four-year accredited degree-granting institution, or vocational training institution that grants a certification or license.
Funds derived from The Carl Parsell Memorial Golf Outing determine the number of $2,500 scholarships to be awarded annually.
Click on the Scholarship tab on the MAPE website for application instructions and to download the application form, also available under Forms on the website. For questions, contact Julie Palmquist at the MAPE office at (248) 509-7159, ext. 231 or via email at
Apply today for two grant programs created by 2020 Public Act 123: The First Responder Hazard Pay Premiums Program (FRHPPP) and the Public Safety and Public Health Payroll Reimbursement Program (PSPHPR).
MAP Legal Counsel Bryan Davis, Jr. provides a brief overview of both grant programs, noting the deadline for the PSPHPR program application is July 17, 2020.
Click here for a link to 2020 Public Act 123.
THE FIRST RESPONDER HAZARD PAY PREMIUMS PROGRAM (FRHPPP)
(Please note: Much of the following information can be found directly in the resources provided below. These resources provide further valuable information regarding the FRHPPP.)
The purpose of the FRHPPP is to reimburse and/or pay for qualifying first responder hazard pay premiums provided to first responders who have performed hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship related to COVID-19. The program has $100 million to help fund additional compensation provided to first responders. This FRHPPP is funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136.
Eligible hazard pay premiums must be paid to employees by Sept. 30, 2020 to qualify for the program.
By Jennifer Gomori, MAPE Editor
Woodhaven Police Detective Lt. Gary McSweeney has served in every position on the Local Union Patrol and Command boards, so he took the logical next step when he accepted a MAPE Labor Relations Specialist position.
With over two decades of labor relations experience, McSweeney has participated in six contract negotiations and at least 20 grievances. He’s also participated in mediations and arbitrations. “Negotiations directly affect my benefits and I’ve always enjoyed having a hand in that,” he said. “We’ve had a few grievances that have come up and it’s always interesting to negotiate some of that.”
“I find (mediations and arbitrations) are similar to criminal cases. You have to do research,” he said. “It’s putting your case together to present to a judge or mediator.”
MAPE Labor Relations Specialist Jim Steffes encouraged McSweeney to pursue the part-time labor specialist position after learning of his upcoming retirement in December, following 28 years of service with Woodhaven PD. McSweeney will transition to a full-time MAPE staff member by January 2021.
“I had a great conversation with (Executive Director) Fred (Timpner) and (Executive Administrator) Julie (Palmquist) and I was offered the position,” McSweeney said.
“We’ve been with MAP a good 10 years,” he said of Woodhaven Command. “That’s been good to have Jim (Steffes) with us the whole time.”
Over the years, McSweeney has learned contract interpretation can be a matter of perspective. “The funniest thing about all that is what side of the table you’re on seems to determine how you interpret the language,” McSweeney said. “At the time you think you have it figured out, then later we read it one way and the City reads it another way.”
“The clearer and the more unambiguous you can be the better it is for everybody,” he said. “The same thing goes for criminal cases. I put more information in my reports to take the ambiguity out of what I’m trying to say.”
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.