The Police Officers Journal: Volume 31, Number 2 Summer 2021

J urnal The Police Officers

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VOLUME 31, NUMBER 2 • SUMMER 2021

2021 Conference

ON THE INSIDE: Police Week In-Person Events Delayed – Pg. 2 Register for POLC/ GELC Conference – Pgs. 4-5 COVID-19 Leads To Many Changes – Pg. 6 POLC Welcomes New Units – Pg. 7-9

VOLUME 31, NUMBER 2 • SUMMER 2021

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: Steve McInchak Gibraltar Police Dept.

VICE CHAIR: Brian McNair Chesterfield Township Police Dept.

Collin Birnie Flint Police Dept.

Scott Eager

Battle Creek Police Dept.

Troy Taylor

Oak Park Public Safety Dept.

Jeff Gormley

Bloomfield Hills Public Safety Dept.

John Huizdos

Bloomfield Township Police Dept.

DIRECTOR, Robert Figurski Warren PD (Retired)

MEMBER SERVICES Lloyd Whetstone PUBLICATIONS Executive Editor: Jennifer Gomori

Organizers delay inperson Police Week events until October

N

ational Police Week host organizers postponed in-person events during National Police Week May 9-15, 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Some virtual events took place in May, including the Virtual Candlelight Vigil on May 13, however organizers rescheduled the in-person Police Week events to Oct. 13-17, 2021 in Washington D.C. That decision was due to the inability to secure necessary permits in time due to COVID-19 restrictions. In-person Michigan Police Week events were also postponed due to COVID-19.

During the Virtual Candlelight Vigil, the names of 394 officers who died in the line of duty were read, including 99 from historical records. The remaining 295 officers died in 2020, including a staggering 182 officers who died as a result of exposure to COVID-19 while performing official duties.

“Rarely have the importance and implications of protecting the public been more evident than during this pandemic,” said POLC Director Rob Figurski. “Law enforcement officers have taken on the double exposure of danger performing their duties during a deadly virus.

We salute your steadfast commitment to maintaining law and order during an extremely unpredictable time and honor all those who paid the ultimate price.”

In-person Police Week events are as follows:

POLICE WEEK EVENTS – MICHIGAN

Year-round: Police Week Michigan, a citizen project launched in 2019, encourages residents to support their local law enforcement officers during National Police Week and throughout the year. Police Week Michigan’s website is filled with ideas to support and recognize officers as individuals or through schools and community organizations. Click here for ideas to support your local law enforcement officers.

Saturday, Aug. 14: Annual Michigan Peace Officers’ Candlelight Memorial Service – 3 p.m. east steps of Lansing State Capitol, 100 North Capitol Avenue. The service will honor 2019 and 2020 fallen Michigan officers. Please contact Andrea Arrington, Michigan Concerns of Police Survivors President at (877) 464-2677 or email survivor@micops.org for more information.

NATIONAL EVENTS (OCT. 13-17, 2021) – WASHINGTON D.C.

Wednesday, Oct. 13: Blue Honor Gala – Time and Location TBD. Formal event for law enforcement officers, survivors and peer supporters honoring fallen heroes. www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/national-police-weekend • Police Unity Tour Chapters 1, 2 and 9 are postponing their May 2021 rides until October to align with COVID-19 postponed National Police Week in-person events. Arrival is at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on Oct. 13. Police Unity Tour raises awareness for law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty while raising funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. Call (973) 443-0030, email cjacksic@ policeunitytour.com or visit www.policeunitytour.com Thursday, Oct. 14: Blue Family Brunch – 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Open to those who registered through C.O.P.S. website. Survivors are encouraged to attend to meet fellow survivors prior to main events.

Registration required at www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/national-police-weekend • NLEOMF Candlelight Vigil – 6 p.m. at the National Mall. Honoring officers who died in the line of duty whose names were engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers

The Police Officers Journal Memorial Wall in 2020 and 2021. Email vigil@nleomf.org, call (202) 737-3400 or visit nleomf.org/ Friday, Oct. 15: C.O.P.S. National Police Survivors’ Conference for Family Members & Friends – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Surviving family and friends gather for support and understanding from other survivors, attend seminar sessions, and inspirational presentations on hope and survival. www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/national-policeweekend • C.O.P.S. National Police Survivors’ Conference for Co-Workers – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at DoubleTree Crystal City, 300 Army Navy Dr., Arlington, VA. Surviving co-workers meet others who understand how they feel, attend seminar sessions, and inspirational presentations on hope and survival. www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/nationalpolice-weekend • C.O.P.S. Kids/Teens Program – 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Local Law Enforcement academies. Fallen officers’ children, step-children and siblings in K-12th grade attend grief counseling sessions designed for their needs and age-appropriate fun and social activities. Must be preregistered, no on-site registration. www.concernsofpolicesurvivors. org/national-police-weekend • C.O.P.S. Day Care Program – 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Surviving children, step-children and siblings, infant through preschool (up to age 6) may attend the Day Care Program while adults are in seminar sessions. Children will receive lunch and must be pre-registered at

www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/national-police-weekend • Picnic on the Patio – 6-9 p.m.

Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. BBQ dinner featuring games, music, and more for survivors of all ages. www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/nationalpolice-weekend • 28th Annual TOP COPS Awards – Washington, D.C. held in conjunction with National Police Week. Information regarding tickets, which must be purchased in advance, will be available in July. For more information, please visit www.napo.org/top-cops/overview.

For additional information, please contact Elizabeth Loranger at eloranger@napo.org or (703) 549-0775.

Saturday, Oct. 16: FOP 40th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service – Noon on West Front Lawn of the United States Capitol. Honoring fallen officers who were to be honored in May 2020 and May 2021. Email fopmemorialservice@fop.net or call (202) 547-1651. www.policeweek.org/ Sunday, Oct. 17: Travel Home Day – Transportation for survivors to Ronald Reagan Airport (DCA) ONLY is available through your hotel shuttle service. Please allow for extra time in lines. Neither C.O.P.S., nor the hotels can arrange transportation to Dulles or BaltimoreWashington International airports. d

Register today: POLC/GELC Annual Labor Conference resumes as pandemic slows

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andemic response caused many 2020 events to be canceled or delayed, including the POLC/GELC Annual Labor Conference, but with restrictions easing the 2021 Conference is sure to provide a welcome getaway for members this fall.

Nationally acclaimed public safety/public sector employee advocate and author Will Aitchison is the featured speaker at the Sept. 15-17, 2021 POLC/GELC Annual Meeting and Labor Seminar.

Aitchison will share his vast knowledge of issues facing all public safety and public sector employees at a new Traverse City venue for the conference.

2021 conference attendees will be greeted during an outdoor cocktail reception the evening of Sept. 15 at the elegant Park Place Hotel & Conference Center. Guests can take in the views of Grand Traverse Bay and downtown Traverse City while enjoying luxury accommodations. The Conference will feature complimentary breakfasts and lunch. Guests may also relax at the indoor pool, experience award-winning dining at Minervas Restaurant, or enjoy drinks and entertainment at the hotel’s lounge.

Union members have the opportunity to participate in the 23rd Annual POLC/GELC Golf Outing at Spruce Run Golf Course, located at the beautiful Grand Traverse Resort. Those interested in an alternative to the golf outing can participate in a Poker Run with beverage stops at local establishments.

Don’t delay! Register today for this informative, relaxing and fun getaway. Please turn to Pages 4-5 for registration forms and more details. d

Photos Courtesy of Park Place Hotel & Conference Center

www.polc.org

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2021 Annual POLC/GELC Meeting & Labor Seminar Wednesday – Friday

September 15-17, 2021 Park Place Hotel & Conference Center 300 E. State Street Traverse City, MI 49684

Seminar Sessions

• Featured Speaker Will Aitchison discusses relevant issues to Public Safety and Public Sector Employees

Attendance limited to registered delegates and invited guests only RESERVE ROOMS by August 15, 2021 to receive POLC/GELC discount:

Call 231-946-5000 and request POLC/GELC Block

Questions? Call the POLC/GELC Office: 248-524-3200

POLC Business Meeting

• Outstanding Service Awards • POLC Business Agenda • POLC Board and Officers elections

Come join us for an outdoor Cocktail Reception, 8:30-11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 2021 Delegate Registration:

Annual POLC/GELC Meeting & Labor Seminar Thursday, September 16, 2021: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.

7-8 a.m. Complimentary Breakfast 1:15 p.m. Complimentary Lunch Friday, September 17, 2021: 8-9 a.m. Complimentary Breakfast – Conclusion

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ARTICLE V (By-laws) DELEGATES TO ANNUAL MEETING SECTION 1. Each participating bargaining unit in the Labor Council shall be entitled to one (1) delegate to the Annual Meeting for each ten (10) members or major portion thereof in their unit, provided however, that each participating unit shall have at least one (1) delegate.

SECTION 7. Any delegate from a bargaining unit that is delinquent in payment of dues shall not be admitted or seated at the Annual Meeting.

There is no fee to register this year. Please fill out and return this registration form. _____________________________________________________________________

Name of your unit and its current enrollment.

________________________ Number of delegates allowed

List names of all unit delegates here: (Please type or print neatly) _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

This registration must be returned before Friday, September 3, 2021 to: Police Officers Labor Council • 667 E. Big Beaver Rd, Ste. 205 • Troy, MI 48083-1413 4 • SUMMER 2021

The Police Officers Journal

Poker Run For those interested in an alternative to the golf outing, a Poker Run will be available from 3:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 16th with beverage stops at some local establishments – all while trying to win some $money$ picking up a card or two at each stop.

Call Nancy Ciccone at (248) 524-3200 before September 1, 2021 to reserve your spot.

Members are responsible for the cost of drinks.

23nd Annual POLC/GELC Golf Outing Spruce Run Golf Course at the beautiful Grand Traverse Resort provides a scheduled diversion for attendees of the Police Officers Labor Council’s annual Business meetings in Traverse City on September 15-17, 2021. Reserve your spot now.

Four-person Scramble (Limited to first 100 golfers)

Thursday, September 16, 2021 Tee-off time: 2:30 p.m.

Cost: $40 per person Includes 18 holes with cart (non-refundable) Reservations guaranteed only when golf is paid in full.

Spruce Run Golf Course – Golf attire is required by the course; all golfers must be in a collared shirt, walking shorts or long pants. Denim jeans or denim shorts are NOT permitted. NO tank tops, NO tee shirts, NO spikes.

GOLF REGISTRATION FORM (Make checks payable to POLC/Golf) Golfers Names

______________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________

Phone # and Department Name

________________________________________

____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________

This registration must be returned before Wednesday, September 1, 2021 to: POLC/GELC Golf Outing Police Officers Labor Council 667 E. Big Beaver Rd., Ste. 205,

Troy, MI 48083-1413

www.polc.org

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The Police Officers Journal

COVID changes Union operations, negotiations, arbitration hearings — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

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hen the pandemic hit our nation, Employers everywhere were scrambling to figure out how to conduct business with stay home orders and limited in-person contact as coronavirus spread.

Grievances were delayed mostly due to the shut down by the State. Hearings were held only under specific conditions such as the disinfecting of the buildings. Employers had to agree to these stipulations further complicating matters.

Virtual meetings through video conference became the way to work around the issues, but some Employers would not agree to this method of conducting labor business. POLC/GELC Labor Attorney Brendan Canfield has been navigating the technical difficulties of arbitration via Zoom. He said it’s much easier to hand out new documents in person versus screen sharing. In group settings, he was unable to properly see facial expressions when questioning people.

“I had one hearing when all three people were on the camera, very far away, so it made it difficult,” Canfield said, adding that it’s much easier to conduct hearings with one person on camera.

The element of surprise when sharing evidence is also often lost when matters are settled virtually. Typically, attorneys submit their exhibits during the arbitration. With virtual hearings, he said, everyone gets to view the exhibits in advance of the hearing.

“I think that probably a lot of people were reticent to have virtual meetings. For me, I’ve gotten more used to it,” however, Canfield said, “I think there are times and places to have things in person.

There are other types of meetings and hearings I wouldn’t have a problem with on Zoom.”

Canfield said he’s flexible when one party is set on having a Zoom

meeting. “I generally will be fine unless the case is too complicated to be done that way,” he said. “In the future, it all comes down to the agreement of the parties.”

CONTRACT CHANGES

Many contract negotiations were delayed at least one year due to concerns over meeting in person. In many cases, Union Employees were given agreement extensions with small raises.

Several months later some people began meeting face-to-face with masks and social distancing to conduct meetings. But as mitigation measures became the new norm, officials began to realize even more benefits of conducting some business via video conference. It saved time, travel costs, and even space needed inside businesses.

Major companies have already announced plans to reduce the number of their facilities to save on operating costs, even after the pandemic has ended.

POLC/GELC Labor Rep. John Stidham said pre-COVID-19, he typically drove 7 hours a day to meet with unit members. The drive time he saves now makes it easier to get to members faster than scheduling a time to meet in person. Stidham said virtual meetings enable him to give more attention to more units in a timely manner.

“I can negotiate Marshall’s contract in the morning and Barry County in the afternoon,” Stidham said. “It’s not like communicating face-to-face but it is safe, and you can put a face to the voice. A lot of businesses talk about continuing to allow their Employees to work from home.”

To maintain social distancing at the POLC/GELC office, some staff members have been taking turns working from home and at the office, with some labor representatives finding they only need to visit the office once or twice a week. “They are able to accomplish a lot from home,” said POLC/GELC Director Rob Figurski. “It has been somewhat challenging but it could be the look of the future at some workplaces.”

However, Figurski was quick to point out, the POLC and GELC will not use video conferencing as a substitute when in-person options are readily available. It’s the same for Unions as it is for schools — meeting in person is always best. He said Labor Reps will continue to make visits to their units as allowed by safety measures.

In the beginning of the pandemic, Unions worked with legislators to get the PPE needed for Public Safety Employees when everyone was being told it was unavailable. The Unions worked to get COVID-19 added to qualifications for line-of-duty deaths, so families of these frontline workers would at least have the Continued bottom of page 7

6 • SUMMER 2021

New Units Livingston Dispatchers pleased with first GELC bargaining agreement — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

L

ivingston County 911 Dispatchers made the move to GELC for Union representation after hearing positive comments from Livingston County Sheriff’s Department Sergeants.

“They said they were really pleased with how negotiations went,” said Mary Reed, local Dispatchers Union President.

The Sheriff’s Sergeants switched representation to POLC, GELC’s sister Union, in 2019.

“Back in 2019, you could negotiate normally,” Reed said. “Last year was different for everyone. When we had to negotiate in Zoom meetings from home, it was definitely a different vibe and everything else.”

Livingston County Dispatchers, who were represented by Michigan Association of Public Employees (MAPE), made the move to GELC in October 2020. Their contract expired Dec. 31, 2020.

“Lloyd (Whetstone) had contacted me and asked if we had been interested in switching,” Reed said of the Union’s Membership Services Representative. “There was a lot of different thoughts we had and thought maybe GELC would be a good choice at this time.”

The 24-member unit is used to seeing their Employees come and go. “It’s common — 911 is definitely one of the higher turnover jobs in all the jobs you could possibly have,” Reed said. “Some either go to other dispatch jobs with better benefits or some people just decide it’s not for them and leave and find other avenues of employment.”

GELC Labor Rep. Chet Kulesza helped the dispatchers reach a beneficial new agreement effective Jan. 1, 2021. The three-year contract, which expires Dec. 31, 2023, includes raises of 2 percent

in year one and 1.5 percent in years two and three.

“I thought overall the negotiations went really well this time and we got mostly everything we asked for to some extent,” Reed said.

A Me-Too Clause was added to their contract to ensure Livingston County Dispatchers are fairly compensated.

“If the County gave more to non-union Employees (during the contract) then they would give that raise to us as well,” Reed said.

The County sought elimination of the various premium pay rates due to difficulty keeping track of them all. Instead of some Employees losing the highest premium payments to come up with a universal amount, the Employer opted to roll the difference in the highest former premium increases into the base pay. That led to restructuring the pay scale with an additional $980 included in the new base pay.

While the Employer sought removal of the option to purchase Vacation Time, like they had done with some other County Employees, GELC enshrined that benefit in the agreement.

“They were taking that away from everybody, so we negotiated purchase of 40 hours of Vacation (per year) for the duration of the new contract,” Reed said. “We have a set amount of Vacation — I get 20 days a year, but they let us purchase an additional 40 hours, which you pay for over the duration of the year. They wanted to get rid of it because some people would get the benefit and leave without paying for it over the course of the year.”

Employees who don’t use their extra purchased Vacation Hours are reimbursed at the end of the year under the new contract. d

COVID changes continued from page 6

to get extra pay in different forms for some of their units. Some Employers agreed to additional Comp Time. Some provided time off beyond the 80 hours which the Emergency Act allowed for in the beginning. “At this point, after it’s been a year, you look at the hospital and the emergency workers who have passed (away) because they tried to serve the public.”

Stidham said a minority of his units so far have agreed to some form of compensation as a type of hazard pay, but negotiations are far from over for Union Labor Representatives. “I think you will see (hazard pay) rolling over for negotiations over the next few years because not all contracts are expired at this time,” Canfield said.

Now more than ever, it’s important to have excellent representation providing comprehensive contracts protecting members’ health and finances. Whether in person, by phone or by video conference, you can rest assured the POLC and GELC will remain steadfast in fighting for your rights! d

benefits they need if they lost their loved one to COVID-19 related to their employment.

POLC/GELC Labor Representatives wrote letters to the municipalities that employ Union members making their case for hazard pay. Stidham said he’s been fighting for hazard pay for his members for months as some Employers had COVID-19 shutdown their city and township halls and police stations.

“This is over and above what they did sign up for. This is over and above everything we’ve ever known,” Stidham said. “I think there should be something in every contract for it. COVID-19 has proved to us there are going to be things out there we can’t control. So why in the world shouldn’t they have something for risking their lives over and above?”

Stidham and other POLC/GELC Labor Representatives were able

www.polc.org

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New Units Alcona County Deputies & Corrections pleased with POLC’s whole picture approach

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— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

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lcona County Sheriff’s Deputies & Corrections Officers have had a tough time retaining new hires, so they joined the POLC to make the changes needed for staff to stay.

“We have a hard time being a training grounds for other departments,” said Alcona County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Wright, President of the Local Union. “People stay a year or two years and they up and leave and it’s 100 percent because of the economic packages that are offered by other places that have higher pay, better pensions, better working hours.”

With their contract expiring Dec. 31, 2020, Alcona County Sheriff’s Deputies and Corrections voted to join the POLC in November 2020 following 20-plus years of representation by the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM).

“Our neighboring department (Oscoda Township Police Department) was already with POLC. They made the switch a few years ago,” Wright said. “We were interested after talking to (Oscoda Township Police), just hearing how their first negotiations went, how POLC does comparables, and they really do their homework in terms of what’s available. That was something that was never done by POAM. It gives you a complete overview of where you’re at economically with your department compared to everyone else.”

“After we did our sit downs with a few different unions, we liked how POLC presented themselves and the amount of work that they put in toward getting a better contract,” Wright said. “He’s (POLC Labor Rep. Christopher Watts) very knowledgeable about not only our contract, but other contracts throughout the state.”

Alcona County Sheriff’s Deputies and Corrections have 18 fulltime and six part-time Employees, however Wright said, a few more Employees already had plans to leave Alcona for jobs with better pay and benefits.

“It’s been status quo with the POAM forever,” Wright said. “Our group is very excited for this new opportunity to work with a new Union. It brings hope for change to be possible in the future.”

POLC Labor Rep. Christopher Watts settled the group’s first contract through POLC by restructuring the wage scale bringing Employees immediate raises between 10.5 percent and 40 percent.

“We got them some fantastic raises,” Watts said. “They went from a 15-year to an 8-year wage scale. That’s nearly half of their wage top out.”

“The Deputies saw an immediate increase of about 14% on day one,” Watts said. “The Corrections Officers saw a 16.11% increase on top of the reduction of top out rates. They went from 15 (years) 8 • SUMMER 2021

“We got them some fantastic raises,” said POLC Labor Rep. Christopher Watts.

“They went from a 15-year to an 8-year wage scale. That’s nearly half of their wage top out. The Deputies saw an immediate increase of about 14% on day one. The Corrections Officers saw a 16.11% increase on top of the reduction of top out rates.” down to 8 years and also got a 16.11% immediate raise.”

Jail Cooks wages increased 10.5 percent and Part-Time Deputies starting wages increased $5.12 per hour, a 39.75 percent wage hike.

“Chris got us everything as far as wage increases up front the first year,” said Local Union Steward Brad Peters, an Alcona County Sheriff’s Corrections Officer. “We didn’t really lose anything. Chris definitely did his homework for us. We were in this contract mainly for the wages and he went above and beyond and got us caught up.”

The three-year contract also includes one additional longevity pay step and sizeable changes to the shift differentials. Shift differentials increased from 15 to 50 cents per hour for afternoon shifts and midnights increased from 20 cents to $1 per hour.

“You figure over a year’s time that’s a lot of money,” Peters said.

Alcona County Sheriff’s Deputies and Corrections Officers appreciated the POLC’s holistic approach to bargaining and the personal attention they’ve received.

“We had a really old contract as far as language was concerned and Chris really cleaned that up for us and brought it up to date,” Peters said. “We were very impressed with how he came in and did a presentation for us and he was very prepared. We’re very pleased with what took place. We hadn’t had quite that success in the past.”

“Chris has been awesome — just on the ball with everything. We talk very frequently. He’s always available to take a phone call, always calls back,” Wright said. “He gives us an entire representation to take a total overview of our contract. Another Union would steer us in one direction or the other. Chris is trying to make it better as a whole, which is nice.” d

New Units Alcona County Command Officers choose POLC for stellar reputation — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

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lcona County Sheriff’s Command Officers felt neglected by their former Union, so when their contract was close to expiring they began looking into alternative representation.

After being with the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) over 20 years, they chose the Union that really impressed them — the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC) — in November 2020.

“The group as a whole felt the POAM was not giving us the attention we needed,” said Nathanael Leeseberg, Local Union President. “The group decided to explore other options, other labor groups out there that would be better suited for us. We had explored others and we just didn’t really care for the reception they gave us or the package they were offering.”

Reputation gave the POLC the opportunity to present the services they offer. “We had other (nearby) law enforcement groups that spoke highly of the POLC so we decided to listen to what they had and go that route,” Leeseberg said.

He said Command is tired of continuing the status quo. They are seeking increases in pay, more in line with neighboring police departments and they don’t want to trade away their current benefits to do so.

Summer Contract Settlements

— As reported by POLC/GELC Labor Representatives

Alcona County Deputies & Corrections Officers

• New three-year agreement expires Dec. 31, 2023.

• Wages: 14% effective Jan. 1, 2021 for Deputies due to wage scale adjustment.

16.11% effective Jan. 1, 2021 for Corrections Officers due to wage scale adjustment.

10.5% effective Jan. 1, 2021 for Jail Cooks due to wage scale adjustment.

39.75% effective Jan. 1, 2021 for Part-Time Deputies due to wage scale adjustment. * The wage scale was reduced from 15 years to 8 years, reducing the time to top out at the highest pay by nearly half.

• Fringe Benefits: An additional step of $750 was added to Longevity. Now Employees are paid $500 per year in Longevity for 10-14 years of service; $750 per year for 15-19 years of service and $1,000 annually for 20 plus years of service. Bereavement time increased from 3 to 5 days.

• Manning & Safety: Afternoon Shift Differentials increased from $.15 cents to $.50 cents per hour. Midnights increased from $.20 cents to $1 an hour.

• Bargaining Team: Local Union President Andrew Wright and Union Stewards Brad Peters and Robert Clink aided by POLC Labor Representative Christopher Watts.

“We don’t want to give up anything we have right now, like Comp Time. Being Command we have to work weekends. We have to work holidays,” Leeseberg said. “We’re always scheduled on weekends to work so having the extra little bit of time off is nice.”

Leeseberg recently was promoted to Command. “We’ve had some pay increases but it’s just that we’re so underpaid compared to everyone around us,” he said. “It’s hard to even get candidates because the pay is low.”

What’s even more of a deterrent for Command staff is starting all over again on a lengthy wage scale. Prior to the POLC’s first contract for Alcona County Sheriff’s Deputies and Corrections Officers, which recently settled a three-year agreement, they had a 15-year wage scale. When Officers are promoted to Command, they begin another 15-year scale. That’s 30 years to reach the top of the pay scale.

“That’s one thing we’re talking about was the 15 years to top out,” Leeseberg said. “I’m almost 23 years in. Now they’re telling me I have to work another 15 to top out again. It’s impossible.”

POLC was able to reduce the wage scale for Alcona County Sheriff’s Deputies and Corrections Officers to an eight-year pay scale, increasing pay for that group by 10.5 percent to nearly 40 percent immediately. d

Barry County Corrections

• New five-year agreement expires Dec. 31, 2025.

• Wages: 2% effective Jan. 1, 2021.

2.25% effective Jan. 1, 2022.

2% effective Jan. 1, 2023.

2.25% effective Jan. 1, 2024.

2% effective Jan. 1, 2025.

• Retirement: The Retiree Health Care Stipend was changed to a monthly payment into a Health Care Savings Plan. Employees were paid out their existing years of service, which was placed into the HCSP. • Bargaining Team: Eric Vanvalkenburg and Heidi Bustance aided by GELC Labor Representative John Stidham.

Charter Township of Bridgeport Police Officers

• New three-year agreement expires Dec. 31, 2023.

• Wages: 3% effective Jan. 1, 2021.

3% effective Jan. 1, 2022.

3% effective Jan. 1, 2023.

• Retirement: Employee Pension Contribution increased from 3% to 4% in 2021 and 4% to 5% in 2023.

• Fringe Benefits: Holiday Pay increased from 8 hours to 12 hours per Holiday. Employees now receive the top level of benefits for Paid Time Off at 10 years of service instead of the previous 22 years of service.

Continued on page 10

www.polc.org

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Member News Charter Township of Bridgeport Police Officers (continued from page 9) • Manning & Safety: Shift differential increased from $.40 cents to $.75 cents per hour.

• Bargaining Team: Dennis Howe aided by POLC Labor Representative John Stidham.

Elk Rapids Police Officers

• New three-year agreement expires Feb. 29, 2024.

• Wages: 2.5% effective March 1, 2021.

2.5% effective March 1, 2022.

2.75% effective March 1, 2023.

• Fringe Benefits: Officers may now accrue Compensatory Time. New uniform allowance reimbursement of $200 annually and boot allowance reimbursement of $200 annually. The schedule for determining Vacation eligibility was reduced from 14 steps to 5 steps, causing Vacation accruals to be increased by significant amounts. The maximum number of Vacation hours that may be accrued increased from 160 to 240.

• Manning & Safety: Shift preference by seniority added with an increase in shift premium from $.25 cents per hour to $.40 cents per hour.

• Bargaining Team: Jamie Peterson and Mackenzie Pahl aided by POLC Labor Representative Hal Telling.

Grand Blanc City Police Command

• New three-year agreement expires May 31, 2024.

• Wages: 2% effective June 1, 2021.

2% effective June 1, 2022.

2% effective June 1, 2023. *Employees also received $1,000 contract signing bonus.

• Fringe Benefits: President’s Day was added as a paid Holiday. Sergeants and Lieutenants are paid for working Holidays at time and a half. Command Officers who also serve on the Grand Blanc Fire Department receive an annual stipend after 3 years of service of $4,000 per year. Longevity was eliminated for Employees hired after June 14, 2021.

• Manning & Safety: On-Call pay increased from $75 to $100 per 24-hour period, so Employees who are on-call over the weekend are paid $200.

They also receive 4 hours of Comp Time. If they are called in to duty on the weekend, they additionally receive Overtime.

• Bargaining Team: Lt. Chris Rhind, Representative, and Detective Sgt. Bryan Byarski, Alternate Representative, aided by POLC Labor Representative Christopher Watts.

10 • SUMMER 2021

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Laurium Village Police Officers

• New three-year agreement expires Dec. 31, 2023.

• Wages: 2.25% effective Jan. 1, 2021.

Wage reopener effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Wage reopener effective Jan. 1, 2023.

• Bargaining Team: Kurt Erkkila aided by POLC Labor Representative Hal Telling.

Livingston County 911 Dispatchers

• New three-year agreement expires Dec. 31, 2023.

• Wages: 2% effective Jan. 1, 2021.

1.5% effective Jan. 1, 2022.

1.5% effective Jan. 1, 2023. *The pay scale was restructured with an additional $980 included in the new base pay. A Me-Too Clause was added to match any potential greater wage increases given to non-Union County Employees during the bargaining agreement.

• Fringe Benefits: The Employer sought to remove the option to purchase Vacation Time, but GELC enshrined 40 hours of Vacation time available to purchase per year into the agreement. Variable Premium Pay rates for working weekends were replaced with a restructured pay scale (noted above).

• Health Care: Abortion is no longer a covered medical procedure as the Livingston County Board of Commissioners eliminated that coverage for all County Employees.

• Bargaining Team: Local Union President Mary Reed and Shift Leader Mel Rice aided by GELC Labor Representative Chet Kulesza.

Shiawassee County Corrections Officers

• Wage Re-opener expires Dec. 31, 2022.

• Wages: 4% effective Jan. 1, 2022 across-the-board.

Plus 2% cost of living increase based on their respective base wages, effective upon contract ratification on May 13, 2021.

• Retirement: All current Employees as of the date this agreement is executed remain in their current pension plans and Employer shall not freeze those plans. Employees hired after May 19, 2021 will have a new DC Plan which contains a combined Employer/Employee contribution of at least 12% of the Employee’s total wages. The Employer must contribute at least 6% and Employees must contribute 3% with a 3% Employer match into the DC Plan. Employees have an additional investment opportunity which includes up to 3% match option by Employer into a 457 Plan. Both plans vest 100% at 3 years.

• Health Care: If an Employee executes a Cash in Lieu of Medical Insurance waiver, the Employer will pay $3,600 annually or pro-rated at $300 monthly directly to the Employee as taxable compensation at the end of the calendar year.

• Fringe Benefits: Employees required to work on observed Holidays will be paid double their straight time rate plus Holiday Pay for each hour worked on said Holiday.

• Bargaining Team: Justin Cross and Samantha Dolhanty aided by POLC Labor Representative Christopher Watts. d