Membership
By Jennifer Gomori, MAFF Editor
Over the past decade, Grand Blanc Township Fire Department changed the way it operates, transitioning from a Paid-on-Call to a staffed department. Now, the Part-Time Firefighters want stronger, more experienced representation, so they chose Michigan Association of Fire Fighters (MAFF).
Grand Blanc Township had an entirely Paid-on-Call department responding to more than 600 calls per year until
voters approved a millage in 2010. That allowed the fire department to hire Full-Time and Part-Time Firefighters to staff a fire station around the clock.
The group was with their former Union for the past decade, but as the department continues transitioning away from a Paid-on-Call operation, the Part-Time Firefighters were looking for better representation that is more in tune with their changing needs, said Ryan Jeltema, Grand Blanc Township Part-Time Firefighters Local Union Secretary.
With about 30 Part-Time Firefighters, they wanted a Union that understood their specific concerns. In February 2023, they voted in favor of MAFF following an impressive MAFF presentation, which included their new Labor Relations Specialist Gregg Allen.
“I really came away with a feeling these are the guys I want fighting for me in negotiations, in a grievance,” Jeltema said. “They understand the issues that are important to me and have the knowledge and experience to get in a fight and get things done for us.”
By Jennifer Gomori, MAFF Editor
Cambridge Township Paid-on-Call (POC) Firefighters were not looking to make major changes within their department when they decided to unionize – they just wanted some parity with other Township Employees.
The 32-member unit voted overwhelming in favor of joining Michigan Association of Fire Fighters (MAFF) to represent them in March 2022.
“We talked a lot with other area departments and they seemed to be happy with MAFF,” said Chad Conrad, Cambridge Township POC Firefighters Local Union Vice President. “Over the past decade or so, there’s not been representation for the fire department and raises have been given loosely to other departments in the Township. We joined for representation, for pay raises comparable to others in the Township.”
“They’ve given 10 percent to 50 percent (increases) to the Township Board and other administrative positions,” Conrad said. “We do have (Township) Police and raises have been given to them. There’s no rhyme or reason for (the raises). Each board has given raises differently and the fire department has just been left behind with the raises.”
Conrad said the Paid-on-Call Firefighters have no other major issues with how the department is being run, citing no safety or personnel concerns. In fact, Cambridge Township POC Firefighters take pride in their long history overseeing fire services at Michigan International Speedway, located in Brooklyn, Mich.
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.
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.
By Jennifer Gomori, MAFF Editor
After suffering significant cuts in their full-time staff and job responsibilities, Grand Rapids Township Fire Fighters decided to leave their former Union to join Michigan Association of Fire Fighters in December 2020.
“We used to have a total of seven full-time suppression people, but we’re down to three,” said Steve Hammond II, Treasurer of the Local Union board.
The 19-member unit, comprised primarily of paid-on-call, was represented by United Auto Workers (UAW) just over 15 years. During that time, Township Fire Fighters first response duties were virtually eliminated.
“They cut us out of all medicals, even car accidents, unless somebody’s trapped,” Hammond said. “That’s one of the catalysts behind the change in unions. The former union, the UAW, didn’t do much to help us in that regard.”
“It makes people frustrated when fire service wants to help people and we can’t. We got into the business because we want to help people, not so we sit at the station and wait for bells to go off,” he said. “We’re all trained as medical first responders, which is required by the department even though we don’t run medicals.”
