Police Officers Journal Fall 2023

J urnal The Police Officers

®

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 3 • FALL 2023

ON THE INSIDE: Meet the new Union Director – Pg. 3 New faces – Pgs. 2 & 5 Executive Committee election – Pg. 5 Outstanding Service Awards – Pg. 6-7

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 3 • FALL 2023

Police Officers Labor Council (POLC) 667 E. Big Beaver Road, Suite 205 Troy, MI 48083.

(248) 524-3200 FAX: (248) 524-2752 POLC membership: www.polc.org EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

CHAIR: Brian McNair

Chesterfield Township Police Dept.

VICE CHAIR: Greg Alexander

Oscoda Township Police Dept.

Scott Beggs

Flat Rock Police Dept.

Adam Byrd

Van Buren Township Police Dept.

Robert Gaiser

Caro City Police Dept.

Leigh Golden Flint Police Dept.

Ryan Strunk

Battle Creek Police Dept.

Troy Taylor

Oak Park Public Safety Dept.

Jacob Theisen

Royal Oak Police Dept.

DIRECTOR: Jim Stachowski

Clinton Township PD (Retired) MEMBER SERVICES Christopher Watts PUBLICATIONS Executive Editor: Jennifer Gomori

New Labor Rep. shares decades of public employee labor knowledge with GELC members — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

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oe Stone is sharing his two decades of public employee labor relations experience with GELC members as the Union’s newest Labor Representative.

Stone retired as Foreman of Sanitation for the City of Warren in March 2023. In April, he joined the GELC’s representation team.

During Stone’s 28-year career with the City of Warren, he wore many hats starting as a temporary employee with Parks and Recreation. He worked as a Department of Public Works (DPW) Maintenance Specialist, Water Utility Operator and Sanitation Operator before being promoted to Foreman of Sanitation.

The bulk of those years Stone represented fellow employees serving in every position on the Local 227 Warren General Employees Executive Board. He began representing his co-workers as a Steward before Photo by Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor moving up to Chief Steward.

GELC Labor Representative Joe “Our unit was different than most. It’s so large,” he said. “There’s Stone one Local Union for clerical and everyone. I spent 20 years on the board and the last 8 years as President or Vice President.”

Stone’s interest in helping people through labor relations work was peaked at an early age. “I come from a very union-orientated family,” Stone said. “My grandfather was in the UAW and my dad was in the UAW at GM. I got into representation early in my career and I enjoyed it.”

A GELC member since 2016, when Warren General Employees joined the Union, he’s experienced in contract negotiations, grievances and disciplinary matters. Stone takes pride in being part of a Local Union that was successful at settling matters without much outside intervention.

His final year with the City was spent in the GELC-represented Warren Supervisors unit. “I was a Supervisor the last year and I was lucky enough to help negotiate the contract … with the (Local Supervisors) President. I missed being involved in the everyday Union responsibilities, like I was with the General Employees.”

Over the years, his labor relations abilities did not go unnoticed. Stone was encouraged by Union leaders to share his vast labor relations knowledge with other GELC members throughout the state by working directly for the Union.

“It was an opportunity and I decided to retire early and come do it,” Stone said of the GELC Labor Representative position. “I was eligible to retire and we just talked about making the move. I will be focusing solely on GELC units.” d

Union Service Honored Bloomfield Hills Director of Public Safety Jeff Gormley (left) was recognized for his years of service as a former POLC/GELC Executive Committee member by Director Jim Stachowski.

Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions

The Police Officers Journal

Labor, law enforcement leader prepared for new role as POLC/GELC Director — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

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fter spending his law enforcement and labor relations career ties to offer competitive taking on multiple leadership roles, including serving as POLC/ wages and other beneGELC Deputy Director for the past 1-1/2 years, Jim Stachowski fits like pensions and is amply prepared for the Unions’ top position. healthcare,” he said.

Stachowski was appointed POLC/GELC Director by the Executive Com“The MCOLES position mittee, assuming the role July 1, 2023. He replaced former Director Rob has opened my eyes to Figurski, who led the organization from May 2016 to June 2023, guiding the ongoing licensing isthe Unions through uncertain times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Figsue we have in our state urski resumed work July 1 as a POLC/GELC Labor Representative, a and the changes that position he held prior to serving as Director. need to take place to “During my career as a Police Officer, I held many Executive Board make sure officers due positions within our Local Union boards, negotiated many contracts and process rights are not sat as Police Rep. on our Act 345 (Police & Fire) Pension Board for 12 being violated by the years with the last seven as Chairman,” Stachowski said. “I also sat on current process.” our Retiree Healthcare Board during the same time frames.”

Having solid POLC A POLC/GELC Labor Representative for the past five years, Stachowsprotection provides ofki retired as a Clinton Township Police Lieutenant having served 25 years ficers the assurance POLC/GELC Director Jim Stachowski with the department. As a POLC-represented Command Officer for 12 needed to focus on doyears, he was Clinton Township’s Lieutenants and Sergeants Association ing their job to the best Vice President for five years and President the last five years of his police of their abilities. career. Prior to that, he was Secretary of Clinton Township Patrol’s Local “I want to make sure our members are taken care of as always, Union board. offering them the best Union serDuring his law enforcement ca“The long-term goals are to try and negotiate vice possible and educating them reer, he was a Use of Force Coordion our legal protection plan that the best wages and benefits possible to aid in nator, a SWAT Team member for 17 we offer (PORAC) in case they are years, Assistant SWAT Team Leadour challenge of recruitment and retainment charged criminally while performer and Clinton’s SWAT Team Coming the necessary duties of their in law enforcement,” he said mander. A member of the Special job,” he said of PORAC Legal DeInvestigations Unit for nine years, fense Fund, which provides memhe worked as an undercover Patrol Officer, a County of Macomb Enbers with a legal defense team readily available through low-cost forcement Team (C.O.M.E.T.) member, a Sergeant with Clinton Township group rates.

Drug Unit, and a Lieutenant overseeing the Narcotics Bureau. He comGetting the word out about the Unions’ excellent customer service pleted F.B.I. National Academy Session #252 and received his Criminal is Stachowski’s first objective as Director. “My goal is to expand busiJustice bachelor’s degree from Madonna University. ness on both sides — POLC and GELC,” he said. “We feel we offer “When I was hired by POLC in 2018, I worked my way up to reprebetter quality service than our competitors, and our customer service senting 35 groups and got to see how different municipalities handled and relationship with our members is paramount.” negotiating contracts,” he said in August. “I will continue to handle “The long-term goals are to try and negotiate the best wages and some Macomb County communities for now as I transition to the benefits possible to aid in our challenge of recruitment and retainment Director’s position.” in law enforcement,” he said. “Bringing back DB pensions and retiree Stachowski, 52, served in the newly-appointed role of Deputy Dihealthcare is not going to be feasible in all communities, so making rector from the fall of 2021 until June 2023. He gained additional sure the municipalities are contributing enough into DC plans and insight into law enforcement labor issues after the Governor apHRA’s, and having competitive wages are key.” pointed him to represent the POLC as a Michigan Commission on Law The married father has two sons preparing for their own careers.

Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) Commissioner from March 2022 His son, Zack, is a senior at Central Michigan University, while Nick is to December 2025. following in his father’s law enforcement footsteps as a fall 2023 “Police work can take on different tasks from one jurisdiction to the Macomb Police Academy Cadet, sponsored by the Roseville Police next, so is true with contract talks and the ability for those communiDepartment.d

www.polc.org • 3

The Police Officers Journal

Huizdos thankful for extensive role in Unions, touts importance of POLC today — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

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ohn Huizdos remained highly involved in the POLC and GELC until his retirement in May 2023 because he wanted to give back to the organization that had done so much for him.

Huizdos represented POLC and GELC members as an Executive Committee member until the Bloomfield Township Police Detective retired after serving his department 28-1/2 years. On the Executive Committee for the past six years, he continued to represent Bloomfield Township Officers as Local Board President for nine years.

“The people that I met on the executive board and in any dealings I’ve had with the members have all been really positive for me,” he said, thanking the Representatives that helped his unit, including John Viviano, Chris Watts, Rob Figurski (former POLC Director), Director Jim Stachowski and Union Attorney Brendan Canfield. “I made decisions with the board that I feel were in the best interest of the POLC and members.

The experience gave back to me just as much, if not more, than I gave to it, especially learning how things work in Lansing. No one gets rich off doing union work, but every guy and girl I know really put themselves out there to help people.”

A POLC member his entire career, Huizdos was first elected to Bloomfield Township Police Officers Local Union Board in 2003 as Secretary and ascended to Vice President and President, serving a total of 20 years.

“The Union has been so good to us as police officers at Bloomfield Township, I felt like getting on the executive board was my way of giving back to the organization itself,” he said. “It was really rewarding meeting other people, getting to know how the organization works. It’s just such an important thing to have a good union. I had a couple people recommend me for it and it turned out to be a great experience.”

Huizdos started his career as a Bloomfield Township Patrol Officer and worked as a Traffic Crash Investigator for seven years before being promoted to Detective, a position he held 16 years. In 2005 and 2016, he was named Bloomfield Township Officer of the Year. Among his many department awards, Huizdos was recognized for locating the driver in a hit and run based solely on car parts found at the scene.

He was a Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) member, a collaborative team involving several Oakland County law enforcement agencies, from 2012 until his retirement, receiving two awards for his work in homicide investigations.

“The most fulfilling cases I’ve worked, many times, were the MCAT cases. They were few and far between, fast paced,” he said. “We were very successful in bringing some pretty bad people to justice. To start an investigation at the scene of a murder or serious crime and work it with a bunch of the other departments until it came to fruition was very rewarding. You were running on little sleep and junk food, but I met some of the finest human beings that work in law enforcement.”

Due to more of a negative portrayal of police in today’s political climate, Huizdos said, the reputations of all officers have suffered. “In any job you’re going to have issues with bad employees, but to paint an entire profession as racist or evil is just absolutely disgusting,” he said.

4 • FALL 2023

“I think people need to realize officers are human beings. They’re not Supermen, but when everyone is running away from crap, they’re running to it and that is a big deal.”

“When you’re in a place of power and you try to take away benefits or you badmouth police or reduce their importance, that’s the reason to have a good union like the POLC,” Huizdos said. “That’s why the POLC is there — to help defend them, so they can go out and do their jobs and be compensated enough to raise a family and do a good job in the world.”

That lack of support has made it daunting for officers who see offenders released repeatedly. “These cops are going out there and the bail is low the recidivism rate is high. You run into the same criminals over and over again,” he said. “It’s certainly changed immensely in the 25 years since I started. I think that’s frustrating for the new guys and gals.”

As Huizdos looks back on the incredible impact the Unions have had on his life, his memories turn to the members who helped make the POLC and GELC a successful organization, especially those whose lives were cut short. The loss of fellow Executive Committee member Collin Birnie, following an automobile crash in Feb. 2022, was particularly difficult for Huizdos.

“I look back at Collin Birnie, who sat next to me at the executive board table, and there’s a guy who was a shining example of putting police first. He just wore his heart on his sleeve,” Huizdos said. “He loved being a cop and he did everything for cops. He was a good example of the heart and soul of POLC. When he passed, a part of that organization passed with him. It was just an incredible loss for everyone. You lost a good man, good husband, father, just a good union guy. What I remember most about my time with the POLC is the sanctity of life. One day a guy’s there and the next day he’s not.”

Huizdos, a married father of three, is not yet ready to fully retire. He is applying for non-law enforcement positions in investigations. d

Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions

POLC/GELC Director Jim Stachowski (right) presents former Union Executive Committee member John Huizdos with a plaque thanking him for his service.

The Police Officers Journal

4 Executive Committee members re-elected, 2 new members appointed — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

P

OLC and GELC Union members voted to re-elect four POLC/GELC Executive Committee members during the 2023 Annual POLC/ GELC Business Meeting held in Traverse City on Sept. 15.

The four board members re-elected to two-year terms are: Greg Alexander of Oscoda Township Police Department; Robert Gaiser of Caro City Police Department; Brian McNair of Chesterfield Township Police Department; and Troy Taylor of Oak Park Department of Public Safety.

Executive Committee members then elected McNair as Committee Chairman and Alexander as Vice Chairman.

Following the POLC/GELC Conference (Sept. 13-15), the committee interviewed candidates to replace former Committee member John Huizdos, who retired from Bloomfield Township Police Department, and former Chairman Steve McInchak of Flat Rock Police Department, who resigned from the board after the conference due to his promotion to Flat Rock Chief of Police.

Flat Rock Police Corporal Scott Beggs was appointed by the board to fill the remainder of McInchak’s two-year term. Royal Oak Police Lt. Jacob Theisen was appointed to fill the remainder of Huizdos’ twoyear term.

McInchak recommended Beggs for the appointment. “I worked with Scott on some things and he’s just got a very good understanding of doing the Local President’s job,” McInchak said. “We wanted to keep the Executive board seat geographically designated in the downriver area … to make sure Michigan members are well represented on the board.”

The remaining five committee members’ terms, including the two newly appointed members, will be up for election in the fall of 2024.d POLC/GELC Executive Committee members include (from left) Leigh Golden, former Chairman Steve McInchak, Vice Chairman Greg Alexander, Troy Taylor, Ryan Strunk, Chairman Brian McNair, Robert Gaiser and Adam Byrd.

Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions

Re-elected 2023 POLC/GELC Executive Committee members are from left: Robert Gaiser, Greg Alexander, Troy Taylor and Brian McNair.

Flat Rock PD Corporal Scott Beggs

Royal Oak PD Lt. Jacob Theisen Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions

www.polc.org • 5

The Police Officers Journal

Three Battle Creek Officers decisive response to armed suspect save lives — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

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t was pitch black outside Christmas Day 2022 when three Battle Creek Police Officers ran toward screams coming from behind a mobile home on the 200 block of North Birdsall Drive in Bedford Township. Their split-second decisions that followed preserved the lives of everyone at the scene.

Battle Creek Police Corporal Mikael Ziegler, Officer Tyris Brazier and Officer Jed Reames were awarded 2023 POLC Outstanding Service Awards (OSA) at the 2023 POLC/GELC Conference for going above and beyond the call of duty.

With their gun flashlights activated, the officers encountered a suicidal man armed with a knife and a man and woman holding him on both sides, struggling to restrain him. Officer Reames was furthest from the suspect, on the opposite side of a raised deck where a second woman was on the phone with 9-1-1. She yelled the man had a knife.

Ziegler said he saw the silver handle of the knife in the suspect’s waistband and officers commanded him to drop the knife. The 22-yearold Battle Creek man looked up at police, bent at the waist and pulled out a handgun, which he pointed at Ziegler and Brazier. In that moment, the two officers had to make the difficult decision to fire their weapons at the suspect, who was flanked by the two individuals.

“There were two people on each side of him holding onto him in the snow. They were shoulder-to-shoulder, not different than if they were giving him a hug on each side of his body, which, in reality, is the worst case scenario in that situation,” Ziegler said. “I was the first one to see (the gun) and the first one to shoot. I ended up shooting twice and Brazier shot three times. The subject was hit twice, once through the side and once in the back.”

No one else was shot. “We got lucky, but that speaks volumes to the training we get in our department,” Ziegler said. “We were ready for it.”

After the shooting, the officers immediately provided medical assistance. “Due to the cold temperatures and the subject’s condition, it was decided that arriving officers would make other arrangements,” wrote

Director Jim Stachowski (right) presents Officer Jed Reams, accompanied by his wife Theresa, with his 2023 Outstanding Service Award.

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Photos by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions

Battle Creek Police Corporal Mikael Ziegler (from left) Officer Tyris Brazier and Officer Jed Reames were awarded 2023 POLC Outstanding Service Awards for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Battle Creek Police Lt. Ryan Strunk in his OSA nomination letter. “The wound was packed to control the bleeding and the subject was transported to Bronson Battle Creek for medical treatment.”

“Brazier has a medical background from the military,” Ziegler said. “All three of us were taking care of him until we were able to get him stabilized and one of our Sergeants drove him to the hospital. We sent the other officers to check on the people standing next to him to make sure they were okay.”

Police had initially responded to the residence at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 25, 2022 after a 21-year-old Bedford Township woman reported that her boyfriend had assaulted her. The man left the area before officers arrived and police conducted a search but he was not found, police said. The second 9-1-1 call came in at 10:30 p.m. “(The) Officers responded to a volatile situation, were able to locate the trouble, and make a split-second decision under very difficult and dangerous circumstances,” wrote Strunk, a POLC Executive Committee member. “The quick and decisive actions of these officers preserved the lives of those on scene and their follow-up preserved the life of the subject. (The) Officers performed a very difficult task in a very dangerous situation that went above and beyond what is normally expected of them.”

Michigan State Police conducted an investigation and cleared all officers of any wrongdoing. The suspect, who has been charged in connection with these crimes and another incident, is in a care facility paralyzed from his injuries. “That causes a lot of issues individually after the fact, not only going through the investigation, but dealing with it on

The Police Officers Journal

Strong work ethic, positive outlook pay off for Weiler Award recipient — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

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arlee Campbell responded to every challenge with positivity during her training at Oakland Community College Police Academy, performing to the best of her ability and earning her the Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award.

The 27-year-old ranked 27th in her class with a 92.7 percent overall grade point average. She was selected for the award from among 21 non-sponsored cadets in the June 1, 2023 graduating class of 56 cadets.

“Karlee was an extremely hard-working student with a great attitude and sense of humor,” said Oakland Police Academy Director David Ceci.

“She never let anything get her down, rose to every challenge, and was always very open to receiving criticism to help her improve and grow.”

The $500 Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award, sponsored by the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC), is given twice yearly at the discretion of the police academy to graduates who have not been sponsored by any police agency. To qualify for the Award, cadets must pass the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) certification test and meet MCOLES employment standards to become certified Michigan Law Enforcement Officers.

Campbell attended Utah State University and transferred to Oakland Community College (OCC) after researching police academies. She received her associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from OCC and praised Director Ceci as the main reason she chose to attend Oakland Community College Police Academy.

“Getting to work with Director Ceci, he is honestly one of the best people I have ever met,” she said. “After I met with him for two minutes, he blew my mind. I said, ‘I’ve got to go here,’ and I was not disappointed at all. He has to be the best academy director in Michigan.”

In June, Campbell began working for the Royal Oak Police Department, which has two units represented by the POLC — Command and Detec-

Photo courtesy of Oakland Police Academy

POLC Director Jim Stachowski (right) presents Oakland Police Academy graduate Karlee Campbell with the Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award.

Academy Range Master Sgt. Keith Waller (left) congratulates her on the honor.

tives. Money was tight in the beginning and her Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award along with receiving the $2,000 Stephen Thomas First Responders Scholarship from the Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union made a big difference.

“I had some money left on my loans for the police academy. I actually had the exact amount that was left to pay off my loans from both scholarships, so it was just amazing,” Campbell said. “I had no idea about the Weiler Scholarship Award or that I was going to get either of the scholarships. Just having that money to get through and finish my field training (with Royal Oak PD) was a lifesaver.” d

Three receive service awards continued from page 6

your own,” Ziegler said of the shooting. “It’s hard until you can make sense of it.”

He is honored to be one of the Outstanding Service Award recipients.

“It’s an award you don’t ever want to receive, but you really still appreciate receiving it because of the time and effort and trauma,” he said.

“It helps me solidify I was in the right place at the right time. We made quick, great choices. It helps remind you that you did a good job and you will remember that for the rest of your career.”

Battle Creek Detectives were able to link the suspect to a large-scale case involving the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars in pre-loaded gift cards. Those cards were used by individuals to purchase illegal drugs, Ziegler said. In the cases against him, the suspect has been charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon on the officers, breaking and entering with intent, concealing stolen property, drug charges (possession of methamphetamine and other possession), and carrying a concealed weapon. d

Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions

Tyris Brazier accepts his OSA from Director Stachowski (right).

www.polc.org • 7

Member News Contract Settlements

— As Reported by POLC/GELC Labor Reps

Bridgeport Township Full-Time Firefighters

New 2-1/2-year agreement expires Dec. 31, 2025.

Wages: 10% increase effective May 1, 2023.

Wage reopener effective Jan. 1, 2024.

Wage reopener effective Jan. 1, 2025. * Established a wage scale for the newly unionized unit, which provided significant immediate pay increases to Employees. ** First year pay increase includes $1 per hour stipend for existing Employees having received their medical licenses. New hires, after May 1, 2023 through the contract term, will receive the $1 per hour stipend once they obtain their medical licenses. *** Wage reopeners will mirror the same percentage as Administrators’ pay increases in 2024 and 2025.

Fringe Benefits: Prior to this contract, Full-Time Employees received the Paid-On-Call (POC) rate of $13 hourly for work performed during unscheduled hours.

Now, Full-Time Employees receive additional pay for work performed outside of their scheduled hours.

Retirement: Employees’ MERS pension contributions were reduced from 8.1% to 5%, and a cap was added so their contributions won’t exceed 5%. The Employer picked up the additional pension costs.

Bargaining Team: Local Union President Louie Wiegele with POLC Labor Representative Christopher Watts.

Chesterfield Township Management

New three-year agreement expires Dec. 31, 2025.

Wages: 4% increase effective upon ratification Aug. 22, 2023.

3% increase effective Jan. 1, 2024.

3% increase effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Fringe Benefits: Added Juneteenth as a paid Holiday.

Bargaining Team: Local Union President Gary DeMaster, Vice President Josh Sonnenberg and Steward Crystal Silorey aided by GELC Director Jim Stachowski and Labor Representative Joe Stone.

Genesee County Dispatchers

Wage re-opener expires Sept. 30, 2026.

Wages: 20% increase effective April 11, 2023 with the new starting pay of $22.34 per hour and top pay of $33.87 per hour. * In addition to the pay increase, the pay scale was condensed from a 20-year top out to a 6-year top out, providing Employees with pay increases more rapidly, including reaching top pay 14 years sooner.

Fringe Benefits: Sick Time Bank cash out language, which originally had been removed from the contract, was restored to the remainder of the contract.

Employees may cash out any Sick Time over 144 hours

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at the end of each year or put the cash equivalent

into their 457 retirement plans. A newly established Attendance Bonus provides Employees with $300 for every month of work that the Employee does not call in sick.

Bargaining Team: Local Union President Robert Kachline and Vice-President Sarah Applin aided by POLC Labor Representative Chester Kulesza.

a minimum of 2 hours to 3 hours.

On-Call pay increased from 3 hours of Overtime (OT) per week to 4 hours of OT just for being On-Call. On-Call pay is in addition to paid response time of 1-1/2 times the Employee’s base wage.

Bargaining Team: Local Union President Rob Kolena, Paul Colliver and Adam Thrash with POLC Labor Representative Christopher Watts.

Genesee County 911 Supervisors

Huron Clinton Metroparks Police

Wage re-opener expires Sept. 30, 2025.

Wages: 12% increase effective April 11, 2023 with the new starting pay of $35 per hour and top pay of $38 per hour. * Employees with less than 3 years of service as of April 11, 2023, who maintain active employment, are eligible for a one-time stipend of $3,000 each.

Stipends are paid at 25% per quarter during the year following the April 11, 2023 effective date and are not eligible for a Defined Contribution match. ** Employees with more than 3 years of service as of April 11, 2023, who maintain active employment, are eligible for a one-time stipend of $6,000 each.

Stipends are paid at 25% per quarter during the year following the April 11, 2023 effective date and are not eligible for a Defined Contribution match.

Fringe Benefits: Sick Time Bank cash out language, which originally had been removed from the contract, was restored to the remainder of the contract.

Employees may cash out any Sick Time over 144 hours at the end of each year or put the cash equivalent into their 457 retirement plans. A newly established Attendance Bonus provides Employees with $300 for every month of work that an Employee does not call in sick.

Bargaining Team: Stewards Jake Reitano and Maria McGuckin aided by POLC Labor Representative Christopher Hild.

Genesee Township Police

New four-year agreement expires Dec. 31, 2026.

Wages: Starting wage increased to $24 per hour with a top out pay of $31 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2023.

4% increase effective Jan. 1, 2024.

4% increase effective Jan. 1, 2025.

1% increase effective Jan. 1, 2026. * There was a complete restructuring of the pay scale in the contract, which included a significant increase in starting pay beginning Jan. 1, 2023. ** Employees each received a $1,000 signing bonus.

Fringe Benefits: Part-Time Employees received a dramatic increase in paid Holidays – from 4 previously to 15 per year and Full-Time Employees annual paid Holidays increased from 12 to 15. Paid Union Leave was added to the contract to cover things like training and the annual POLC/GELC Conference. The Employer restored Longevity Pay. Employees receive Longevity Pay annually after completing 5 years of service. The first payment at 6 years is $600 and each year the payment increases by $100 to a maximum payout of $2,000 at 20 years and up.

Manning & Safety: Court Time pay increased from

New three-year agreement expires Dec. 31, 2026.

Wages: 3% increase effective Jan. 1, 2024.

3% increase effective Jan. 1, 2025.

3% increase effective Jan. 1, 2026. * Each Employee receives a $1,000 signing bonus eligible for deposit into 457 deferred compensation account.

Manning & Safety: Created Certified Instructor Officer (CIO) pay at 2 hours of additional straight pay for every 8 hours acting as an instructor in a number of specialized training fields. Increased FTO compensation from 1 hour to 2 hours of additional straight pay for every 8 hours acting as an FTO. Shift Premium pay increased from $.60 cents per hour to $.75 cents per hour for all hours worked after 4 p.m. and before 8 a.m. for full-time and part-time Employees. Shift change to 10-hour work week will occur in September each year.

Fringe Benefits: Uniform/Equipment Allowance increased from $500 to $800 per year.

Health Care: New hires will be eligible for health care coverage immediately upon employment.

Retirement: Employer contribution to retirement program increased from 6% to 9% of base wages.

Employees will now be vested in the Retirement Health Savings Plan after completion of 5 years of service.

Bargaining Team: Sgt. Edward Otis, Sgt. Sterling Price, Officer Daniel Waller and Officer Justin Kiryakoza aided by POLC Labor Representative Chris Hild.

Village of Oxford Police

New three-year agreement expires June 30, 2026.

Wages: 7% increase effective July 1, 2023.

7% increase effective July 1, 2024.

7% increase effective July 1, 2025.

Fringe Benefits: Adopted Virus/Pandemic Sick Leave policy that pays an impacted Employee their regular straight time pay and benefits for all their leave hours should the leave not qualify under Short Term Disability or workers compensation. Established accumulation of up to 36 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO), pro-rated in the first 10 months of employment, to be used after completion of probationary status. Uniform Allowance increased from $850 to $1,000 per year.

One-time Duty Death Benefit, separate from life insurance policy, increased from $2,000 to $5,000.

Employees will receive pro-rated Vacation Time based on the number of weeks worked per year with 26 weeks being paid at 100% scaling down to 13 weeks at 50%. Vacation Time carryover is capped at 40

®

New Units Switch to GELC garners 10% raises for Chesterfield Township Management — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

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y the time their former Union representation began arguing with the Employer about procedures that did not apply to them, Chesterfield Township Management Employees knew a change was necessary. They found the perfect fit with Government Employees Labor Council (GELC).

“Our HR and elected Supervisor are lifetime government employees.

They’re very qualified for negotiations and pro-Employee,” said Gary DeMaster, Chesterfield Township Management Local Union President.

“It should have been the easiest negotiations ever and it went so south because of AFSCME. They were acting as if we were 100 rank and file bus drivers. They were talking about who gets hired first. This is a management union. There’s only one job for each for us.”

Represented by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for over 20 years, Chesterfield Township Management voted unanimously to join the GELC in May 2023. The 16-member group consists of directors, assistant directors and coordinators.

“Union members Josh Sonnenberg and Michael Mullen got a hold of our police department, which is in the POLC. We knew that their Union was good and there was also a general government employees union as well,” DeMaster said. “We did not solicit any others because of the recommendation of (Chesterfield Township Police Captain) Brian McNair.

Historically, the police always do really well in municipalities, so that was by far an easy choice for us.”

As Vice President of the POLC/GELC Executive Committee, McNair provided the group with details about GELC. DeMaster and the local stewards moved quickly to obtain new representation since their contract had expired Dec. 31, 2022. DeMaster said AFSCME rejected the Employer’s request to open contract talks in April 2022, delaying negotiations until November.

“Then they came up with all these demands that were impossible,

hours per year if due to scheduling issues. Previously, Vacation carryover was capped at 10 days. Overtime rate of 1-1/2 times per hour established for all hours in excess of 8 to 12 hours per shift. Call-In Time pay established at 1-1/2 times pay rate for minimum of 2 hours. Previously, call-in time was straight time at a minimum of 2 hours. Added Veterans Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day as paid Holidays, capping Holiday pay at 12 days per year.

Manning & Safety: Shift Premium established at $1 per hour on top of base pay for all hours worked between 3 p.m. and 7 a.m. Special Classification pay of $1.50 per hour on top of base pay while performing as an FTO, Firearms Instructor and Taser Instructor.

Health Care: Active Employees will pay $150 per month for Single health care coverage for the duration of the contract. Coverage for two or more persons will

which dragged us to April (2023),” DeMaster said. “I said, ‘It’s time to get rid of this union. They’re not representing us.’ Josh and Mike were also instrumental in the Union change.”

DeMaster spoke with GELC Labor Representatives Jim Stachowski (who has since become the POLC/GELC Director) and Joe Stone, about the urgency to settle their contract. “I said, ‘I want this to go fast because we’re behind. The State of Michigan took out retro pay, so we can’t get natural bumps on our seniority date,’” he said.

Those missed pay increases had already cost Employees an average of $3,000 to $4,000 each. DeMaster, who was voted in as the new Local Union President after the switch to GELC, said Local Union Reps wanted assurance they would have more control in negotiations.

“AFSCME would say ‘We’re going to do all the talking,’” DeMaster said. “Jim and Joe were awesome — they were incredible! I said, ‘We want to do the talking and ask for your help.’ They listened and they heard.”

In just two weeks, the GELC helped them reach a tentative agreement.

“I would say AFSCME met five or six times in three months and got nowhere,” DeMaster said. “Jim was smart, intelligent, and responsible and made everyone happy. These guys were able to settle this in two meetings and we did well too! We’re happy we made the change. We’re going to stay with them.”

Chesterfield Township Management’s new GELC-negotiated 3-year contract is effective Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2025 with a 10 percent pay increase over the life of the agreement. They also added Juneteenth as a paid Holiday. “We’re extremely pleased! It was a unanimous tentative agreement, unanimous ratification (by the members),” DeMaster said.

“Because we’re so far behind, we’re going to negotiate in a year and a half again and it’s a 3-year contract.” d

cost $200 per month effective July 1, 2023; $225 per month effective July 1, 2024; and $250 per month effective July 1, 2025. Eliminated Short-Term Disability cap of $700 per week and Long-Term Disability cap of $3,000 per month. The new weekly straight time cap is 66-2/3% of base pay and 60% of monthly base pay.

Bargaining Team: Sgt. Clint Ascroft and Officer Gary Rouse and POLC Labor Representative Chris Hild.

City of Rochester Police Patrol, Dispatch & Ordinance Officer

New five-year agreement expires June 30, 2028.

Wages: 3% increase effective July 1, 2023.

3% increase effective July 1, 2024.

3% increase effective July 1, 2025.

3% increase effective July 1, 2026.

3% increase effective July 1, 2027. * Added 2 levels of pay to Dispatchers wage scale at 18 months and 24 months for $28.85 per hour and $30.72 per hour respectively. ** Investigator, Narcotics Enforcement and School Resource officers will receive 4% above Patrol base pay.

Fringe Benefits: Holidays paid out at 12 hours. Personal Leave Time increased from 40 to 60 hours per year. Added a Vacation Time step increase at 15 years of service for 176 hours of Vacation Time per year.

Manning & Safety: FTO and CTO compensation will be 1 hour of Overtime (OT) pay for every daily observation report.

Health Care: Employee cost share increase from 5% Continued on page 10

www.polc.org • 9

Member News POLC negotiates stellar mid-contract wage increases for Genesee County 911 — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

T

he POLC negotiated substantial wage increases for Genesee County Dispatchers and Dispatch Supervisors mid-contract to address hiring and retention issues.

The re-opener agreements, effective April 11, 2023, garnered 20 percent wage increases for Dispatchers and 12 percent wage increases for Dispatch Supervisors with additional monetary benefits.

“This was a collaborative effort between the Union and the local leadership team — County Executive Board Chairman Fred Thorsby, Executive Director Tim Jones, and Deputy Director Dave Plumb,” said Jake Reitano, Genesee County 911 Supervisors Steward and a POLC/ GELC Labor Representative.

Both units have struggled with staffing shortages for several years, but a change in the Genesee County 911 Administration and Executive Board prompted major progress between the Employer and Union.

“They have not been fully staffed since 2015 when the City of Flint 911 consolidated into Genesee County’s 911 system,” Reitano said. “They have a lot of people leaving and the Overtime was increasing.”

Staffing shortages reached critical levels in recent years with new and vested Employees alike leaving their positions. So, County officials asked the POLC to help them figure out exactly what it would take to attract and retain Employees long term.

“If they budgeted for 50 people, they only had 32 people. They have been short at least 10 people for probably a year or two,” he said. “It was really the County Executive Director and Deputy Director that blew the whistle and told the board they were in a crises state where we can’t afford to lose any people. In order to make it more attractive, we had to make some positive changes in the contracts.”

POLC Labor Representatives Christopher Hild and Chester Kulesza, who represent the Dispatch Supervisors and Dispatchers respectively, did their research, showing County officials how nearby municipalities are compensating their Employees. “When we did the comparables, we were the lowest paid in the area, at least for the Supervisors,” Reitano

Contracts – cont. from page 9

to 10% effective Jan. 1, 2024. Employer contribution to HSA will be $2,100 for single; $3,100 for single plus one; and $4,200 for family per year through Jan. 1, 2028.

Bargaining Team: Officer Michael Knight, Officer Justin Chisholmn and Officer Paul Kahrs aided by POLC Labor Representative Chris Hild.

White Lake Township Command Officers

Base wage adjustments 2023-2025 and Contract extension 2026.

Wages:

10 • FALL 2023

said. “We don’t have any type of Defined Benefit pension, so the places around us that do have DB pensions have an edge in recruiting. They can still offer those traditional pensions with health care. We had to make up for that somehow to stay competitive.”

The Union also addressed the losses both groups sustained under County-imposed concessionary contracts. Prior to the re-openers, Genesee County Dispatchers and Supervisors, who receive 96 hours of Sick Time per year, had their ability to cash out unused Sick Time removed from their contracts. “The last contract it was changed to lose it if you didn’t use it by the end of the year, which drove up Sick Time usage and drove up Overtime,” he said.

The Union and Employer agreed the best remedy to discourage overuse of Sick Time was to remove the ‘use it or lose it’ clause and reward Employees with $300 bonuses every month they do not use any Sick Time. “Sick Time Bank cash out language was restored. Now they have the ability to cash out anything over 144 hours or have it put into their 457 account in lieu of cash at the end of every year,” Reitano said.

Supervisors had also taken a hit in the Employer’s contribution to their retirement plans. The previous 15 percent Employer contribution was reduced to 10 percent in 2019. During the first three years of the contract (2019 to 2022), Supervisors received a 7-1/2 percent increase in wages.

“The previous administration imposed concessionary contracts on both groups. Any increases in wages were still making up for that loss,” Reitano said.

In addition to significant pay increases in the re-openers, Dispatch Supervisors were further incentivized to continue working for Genesee County through one-time stipends. The County is providing $3,000 stipends for Supervisors who have less than three years of service and $6,000 stipends for those with more than three years, provided they maintain active employment. “We only met one time and hammered a few things out,” Reitano said. “It’s a big, positive change in the leadership and executive board makeup.” d

$94,001 base wage for Sergeants effective July 2023. $101,521 base wage for Lieutenants effective July 2023. $97,971.03 base wage for Sergeants effective Jan. 1, 2024. $105,808.71 base wage for Lieutenants effective Jan. 1, 2024. $101,570.31 base wage for Sergeants effective Jan. 1, 2025. $109,695.93 base wage for Lieutenants effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Contract extension Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2026.

3% increase: $104,617.41 base wage for Sergeants effective Jan. 1, 2026.

3% increase: $112,986.81 base wage for Lieutenants effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Contract Language Changes: If the Township shuts down for an emergency, working bargaining unit members during the time of closure shall receive an hour of Comp Time for each hour of closure. Eight to 12 hours, depending on scheduled shift, may be used for emergency leave once per year from the Employee’s Sick Time Bank. If an Employee is called in for jury duty, the Employer shall make up the difference in pay between the jurist fee and the Employee’s full hourly rate of pay. Employees on jury duty will not be called into work during the same day.

Bargaining Team: Matt Silverthorn and Bradley Connell aided by POLC Representative Chris Hild. d