Professional Services
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
In an effort to support the dedicated men and women in public service careers, Cleary University is offering the Courage and Public Service Scholarship, an exclusive tuition scholarship program to attain undergraduate and graduate degrees quickly and affordably.
The 50 percent tuition scholarship is open to public service, civic and municipal employees, education professionals, first responders and emergency personnel.
Cleary offers online and in-person flexible evening classes, accepts up to 90 transfer credits and even grants credits for work experience and certifications. Complete your degree in a year or two at half the cost.
Cleary University has campuses in two convenient locations: Detroit and Howell.
Michigan residents ages 25 and up can qualify to attend their in-district community college to earn an associate degree tuition-free under the new Michigan Reconnect program.
The program is open to residents who have not yet completed an associate or bachelor's degree. Michigan Reconnect also provides free tuition for those ages 25 and up seeking a Pell-eligible skill certificate.
To be eligible for Michigan Reconnect, applicants must also have lived in Michigan a year or longer and have a high school diploma or equivalent. If you do not have a high school diploma or equivalent, visit Michigan.gov/LearnMoreEarnMore to get started.
If you attend a college in a district where you don’t live, Michigan Reconnect only pays the in-district part of the tuition and the student will need to pay the remaining balance.
Click here for more information and to apply for Michigan Reconnect.
By Jennifer Gomori, MAPE Editor
While some people are concerned about what they post, text and otherwise share online, just as many view this as their First Amendment right to freedom of speech. No matter your view on the subject, legal advisors for MAPE are urging members to think twice before posting or texting anything sexual, racial or even political.
“You have a First Amendment right to say whatever you want to, but you don’t have a constitutional right to your job,” said MAPE Legal Counsel Catherine Farrell.
Public Employees should understand specific restrictions detailed in their contracts. “Look to the CBA to make sure you don’t violate it,” said Farmington Hills Attorney Arthur J. Weiss, who joined Farrell in a Social Media discussion with Union members during the Annual Open House in December.
Weiss recounted a case in which a Detective was accused of hitting on a witness and complainant. “There was nothing in the CBA for sexting, however it was clear the department could discipline him if they thought it was warranted,” Weiss said.
Experience, Education, and Expertise
In order to guarantee its members the highest level of employment protection, it is absolutely necessary in today's world, that a public employees' union provide professional representation. Representation founded on professional resources and a broad spectrum of specialized expertise must be readily available, at all times, to all members. In other words, a union must be equipped with complete service capacity and a dedicated staff of skilled professionals who will deliver these services in a timely and effective manner.
Specifically, all members must be provided with representation that wil deliver:
- Maximum appropriate financial compensation for the work they perform.
- The best possible employment benefits, including pension and medical insurance.
- Working conditions maintained at the highest standards.
- Protection of all employees' rights, as established by law.
- Immediate access to top-quality legal counsel whenever necessary.
- Direct availability of professional assistance in matters of financial, insurance and retirement planning.
- The strongest possible collective voice in communicating needs, opinions and positions to national and state lawmakers.
- A communications program which keeps members fully informed of updates related to the collective bargaining process, including the status of contract negotiations.
- A platform which informs the public about the organization's position on issues affecting the membership and/or local associations.
- A leadership structure which represents the membership's collective interests and goals in the creation and implementation of the organization's operating policy.
In short, professional representation should include the negotiation and enforcement of contracts, safeguarding of members' rights, assisting members plan their futures and protect their families, providing members with a voice in political matters, and guaranteeing member satisifaction.
The Michigan Association of Public Employees (MAPE) is a full-service public employees union in every sense of the term.
