Mundy Township Paid-on-Call Fire Fighters
CONTRACT
“I think the paid Holidays were big and so was the fact that we formed a policy committee,” said MAFF Labor Relations Specialist Jim Steffes. “We have in the contract they’ll have a committee to discuss, revise and review department policies. Now they have some say in what’s going on and what changes are being made. Employees never had Holiday Pay. Now they have eight Holidays paid at time and one-half. They weren’t getting anything extra for working holidays. You’re asking a guy to leave this family on Christmas morning to go to a house fire or accident. You can at least give him a time and half wage for doing it. That was a big issue for them. We weren’t sure it was going to fly by the Township … but the Rep. from the Employer side was able to sell it to the Township Board. I have to give some credit to the other side. They went and argued it well and got the Board to approve it.”
Contract Duration: 3-year agreement ratified Dec. 14, 2021 and effective 1-1-22 to 12-31-24.
Wage Increases:
2.5% increase effective Jan. 1, 2022.
2.5% increase effective Jan. 1, 2023.
2.5% increase effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Augusta Township Paid-on-Call Fire Fighters
CONTRACT
“We clarified language that allows a firefighter to take Fire Officer I and II classes (and all pre-requisites) prior to a Sergeant's position being posted. The class will be paid for by the Employer. Once promoted to an Officer's position, the member will be reimbursed for the hours spent attending the class,” said MAFF Labor Relations Specialist Jim Steffes. “Firefighters participating in unpaid public relations and fire prevention events who missed a run will be paid for the run now. Firefighters who do 20 hours or more of Community Engagement events in a calendar year will receive a $200 bonus the first pay period in January. Fire Officers receive a $100 increase each year to their annual Officer salaries.”
"I'm thankful for collective bargaining. United we stand, divided we fall,” said Clark Barton IV, Augusta Township Paid-on-Call Firefighters Local Union President. “I'm thankful for MAFF and their Rep. Jim Steffes, who were very influential in helping this contract get ratified in a timely manner. I believe in being proactive instead of reactive. This contract made a leap forward for Local 911 to be proactive in helping its membership further their education. Having eligible members being offered Instructor I and Officer I and II courses is fantastic! I was also pleased to see an increase in the bonus for all three levels of run/training quotas."
Contract Duration: 3-year agreement ratified Sept. 28, 2021 and effective 4-1-21 to 3-31-24.
Wage Increases:
3% increase effective April 1, 2021.
3% increase effective April 1, 2022.
3% increase effective April 1, 2023.
MAFF worth the wait for Woodhaven Firefighters
By Jennifer Gomori, MAFF Editor
There was a major disconnect between Woodhaven Firefighters and their former Union representation, so they turned to Michigan Association of Fire Fighters (MAFF) to settle their next contract.
“We were with UAW throughout the duration - since 1999,” said Local Union President Kevin Griswold. “Other than
cost of living adjustments, the contract was the same for 20 plus years. That’s why I’m in the spot I’m in.”
In August, they joined MAFF to improve their contract language and reunite their workforce. “It was pretty close to unanimous,” said Local Union Steward Bill Vigilante of the vote to join MAFF. “I think we had one ‘No.’”
United Auto Workers (UAW) had boilerplate contract language, which did not address many of their concerns. The group is seeking language that is public safety specific in their bylaws, constitution and the entire contract, said Griswold, a full-time firefighter.
MAFF Labor Relations Specialist Gary McSweeney is working with the new unit, which currently has five full-time and 22 part-time firefighters, to revise their contract language.
Bruce Township Paid-On-Call Fire Fighters join MAFF for uniformity
By Jennifer Gomori, MAFF Editor
Bruce Township Paid-On-Call Fire Fighters didn’t decide to unionize because of low wages – but they did join Michigan Association of Fire Fighters (MAFF) to ensure equality in the workplace with their full-time counterparts.
“We don’t really want more money. It’s more about standards,” said Bruce Township Paid-on-Call Fire Fighter William Thompson. “We kind of have an idea about what we’re interested in. Some uniformity in the administration is the main thing - adhering to standards and implementing them for all the Employees.”
The 13-member unit voted to join MAFF in August. Bruce Township Fire Department also employs 15 full-time Fire Fighters, who are represented by another Union.
“I think that was one of the main motivations is to resolve the inconsistencies in leadership,” Thompson said. “We’re a combination department. On one side there’s standards and the other there isn’t. There’s a lot of nonsense that goes on. I’m basically a volunteer - I don’t need to do all this extra training and get hassled.”
MAFF was recommended by one of the current On-Call members, who also works as a part-time Clay Township Fire Fighter. That department and Bruce Township Paid-on-Call are both represented by MAFF Labor Relations Specialist Jerald James.
“Jerald does a great job and MAFF is great,” Thompson said. “Jerald has been super helpful. I personally think he’s been fantastic. He’s been very responsive. Every time I had questions, he spent a lot of time talking on the phone with me so it’s appreciated.”
Thompson said he is looking forward to negotiations on their first MAFF-represented contract.
Cleary University offers Courage and Public Service Scholarship
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.
Peters' hazardous PFAS chemicals legislation advances in Senate
Legislation to help protect the health and safety of firefighters, emergency responders and communities was advanced in the U.S. Senate.
Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) reintroduced the Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act, which directs federal agencies to develop best practices, training and educational programs to reduce and prevent exposure to PFAS. PFAS are known as 'forever chemicals' since they do not breakdown naturally.
Tuition-free college available for residents 25 and up
Michigan residents ages 25 and up can qualify to attend their in-district community college to earn an associate degree tuition-free under a 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.
Novi Paid-on-Call Fire Fighters
CONTRACT
“They did really good,” said MAFF Labor Relations Specialist Joe O’Connor of Novi Paid-on-Call wage increases. “There’s always a rumor that their Paid-on-Call are going away. Paid-on-Call is part of that place and they’re just going to remain that way. Anybody hired before June of 2017 did not have a mandatory number of shifts to work. Anybody hired after that date had to work 10 shifts a quarter. We started phasing them in in steps. As long as they meet that, they get the bonus attached to their wage increases.”
Contract Duration: 6-year agreement, effective 7-1-20 to 6-30-26.
Wage Increases:
2% effective July 1, 2020.
2.5% effective July 1, 2021.
2.5% effective July 1, 2022.
2.5% effective July 1, 2023.
2.5% effective July 1, 2024.
3% effective July 1, 2025.
- Plus, a $400-$500 annual bonus in years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 for each Employee who meets the following shift requirements.
- Each bonus is based on hours worked the previous year:
$400 payment for 937-1248 hours worked
$500 payment for 1249 or more hours worked
- Each bonus is based on hours worked the previous year:
Don’t let your child fall behind on vaccines
Vaccination rates plummet amid pandemic
Health news from MESSA
Michigan’s vaccination rates have plummeted during the pandemic, putting our kids at risk for other serious illnesses such as measles and whooping cough. In May, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported that child vaccinations were down 44.5 percent overall compared with the previous two years.
That is a significant drop that can have serious health consequences for kids, said Dr. Julia Spalding, MESSA’s medical director.
No one can deny that this is a tough time to be a parent. With COVID-19 cases rising across Michigan, the temptation to keep a healthy child far away from the doctor’s office is strong. However, keeping your child up to date on vaccinations is a crucial part of protecting their health that should not be ignored.
If you’ve been putting off a well-child visit, it’s time to get back on schedule. Being prepared for what to expect can help alleviate your concerns about taking them to the doctor. Here are some questions to ask your child’s doctor 
office before visiting:
- Is my child up to date on their vaccinations?
- Do you have designated hours for well-child visits to keep healthy kids separated from children who may be ill?
- Are there separate entrances for healthy children and those who may be ill?
- Do you offer remote check-in from my vehicle?
- Do patients wait in the waiting room or in the parking lot?
- Do you offer vehicle visits, where the provider meets the patient in the parking lot?
- How often are the waiting rooms and patient rooms sanitized?
Free retirement planning offered to MAFF dues paying members
By Jennifer Gomori, MAFF Editor
While it’s true our experiences in life impact our financial decisions, having a plan for retirement isn’t something anyone should go without.
That’s the message Stuart Raider and Peter Mendler recently shared with MAFF members. The Raider Dennis Agency President and Vice President encourage all members to come in for a free financial analysis and thorough retirement plan, so they are ready when it’s time to retire.
“This is something that is available to all MAP, MAPE and MAFF members that are dues paying,” Mendler said.
Raider’s father, Jordan, was only 7-years-old when his own dad passed away unexpectedly. “He learned about financial and emotional hardship,” Raider said.
Those hardships inspired Jordan to build a successful financial planning business, thus inspiring Stuart to follow in his footsteps with the business and get a college education at Michigan State University. “It taught me a lesson about responsibility for my clients,” Raider said.
Mendler experienced a similar upbringing to Raiders’ father. A former IRS Agent, current attorney and financial planner, Mendler was only 5-years-old when his parents divorced. His dad passed away when he was 12. “I went to live with my grandparents,” Mendler said. “I felt like a charity case. I learned what it was like to feel needy, vulnerable. I’ve worked my whole life to never feel like I’m in that position again.”
His grandfather inspired his financial career. “My grandfather instilled in me the value of saving,” Mendler said. “As we face retirement, we don’t want to run out of money.”
Both partners in the Raider Dennis Agency are fiduciaries. They are held to a higher standard of education, knowledge and responsibility to provide individuals with financial plans that will see them through retirement. “A fiduciary is legally bound to act in your best interests,” Mendler said. “Stuart and I are fiduciaries. We take it very seriously to uphold that trust we’re held up to. Not every financial advisor is a fiduciary.”
MAFF helps maintain pensions in a 401k climate
By Jennifer Gomori, MAFF Editor
Having a pension is an important part of a successful retirement savings plan, but something many employers are taking away from their workers and replacing with 401k plans. In the public safety realm, pensions are an even more crucial component of retirement since a majority of these employees are not eligible for Social Security benefits. MAFF works hard to maintain Defined Benefit (DB) plans, a type of pension plan, for its members.
When 401k plans were introduced to employees in the 1980s, it was never the intent of early backers that these would replace pensions. “401k’s were not designed to take the place of (pensions),” said MAFF Executive Director Fred Timpner. “If all people have is a 401k and Social Security, that will not be enough to maintain the lifestyle they’ve become accustomed to.”
In an effort to save money, employers are substituting these market-based plans for pensions. The problem is market volatility can negatively impact 401k savings compared to the steady growth of a DB plan.
“(Pensions are) the most important part because they’re not environmentally changed,” said Stuart Raider of Raider Dennis Agency. “The Defined Benefit is a payout based on a formula, like Social Security. Social Security is the cornerstone of most people’s retirement, although most police and fire aren’t eligible to receive this benefit.”
“One of the advantages is the Defined Benefit puts all of the responsibility of the risk on the employer,” Raider said.That makes DB’s even more important to public safety employees, assuring them a certain amount of money will be set aside for their retirement. The plan is ‘defined’ because the formula for calculating the employer’s contribution is known ahead of time. However, DB’s are different from other pensions, where the amount of payout depends on the return of the funds invested. If there is a shortfall from investments set aside to fund the employee’s retirement, employers must make up the difference.
But that doesn’t mean DB plans will become a hardship for the employer, Timpner said. “If a DB plan is properly funded by the parties, then there could be minimal or no cost at all to the employer,” Timpner said. “For example, the City of Sterling Heights went years without putting one cent into the pension fund. There were no employer contributions due to the fact that the pension fund was overfunded.”
Some employers are opting instead for Defined Contribution (DC) plans, which are 401k plans. DC plans allow employers the option of making contributions at their discretion and they don’t assume any of the market risks of losses - the employee assumes all the risks. Another drawback of DC plans for employees is that they are accessible to workers before they retire, unlike DB plans.
Page 3 of 3
