Van Buren Dispatchers receive 12% raises

— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

Van Buren County Dispatchers became the fourth County unit to join the POLC, after hearing County Road Patrol Deputies were joining the Union.

Van Buren County Dispatchers made the switch from Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) to the POLC in August 2022, along with the County Deputies. The POLC has been representing Van Buren County Command for decades and County Corrections Officers since 2013.

“I was hearing rumors that Road Patrol Deputies were switching to POLC, so I asked their Representative what was going on,” said Christine Mortimer, Van Buren County Dispatchers Local Union President. “Our Representative that we had from POAM wasn’t being helpful. Given all the positive comments being made about POLC being more helpful, I presented it to the members.”

Initially, the 13-member unit was interested in merging into one bargaining unit with the Deputies. Their opinion changed after POLC Labor

Representative Dave Thomas explained the importance of autonomy.

“I was thinking strength in numbers. I talked with Dave and he said that, ‘In this case, you really want to keep your own unit,’” Mortimer said. “I think one of the biggest reasons why is because we have issues unique to Dispatch that the Road Patrol doesn’t have. I think he was concerned, if we merge with Road Patrol, none of our needs would be met.”

Thomas helped the group obtain vast improvements in their wages. In their first POLC-negotiated bargaining agreement, effective Jan. 1, 2023, they received an immediate 6 percent boost in pay, followed by 3 percent increases in the second and third years of the contract.

“A 12 percent pay increase is better than the 6 percent we normally get,” Mortimer said. “Traditionally, we only get 2 (percent), 2, and 2 (over three years), and if you only allow 2 (percent), 2, and 2, you’re going to