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MAP contracts are consistently described as barrier-breaking, financially superior, topnotch in addressing working conditions and complete in their scope. You can now add "creative" to the list. "Our new agreement includes a number of features that you can call creative improvements in terms of dollar advantages to our officers," said Sterling Heights POA President Rich Heins in assessing the new 5-year pact he recently helped to negotiate. "There's a lot more to it than the annual 3 percent wage increases. You also have to look at such provisions as increased longevity pay, more holiday pay and the employer's yearly $500 contribution to our deferred compensation program. And there is an additional 1 percent step increase built in at 5 1/2 years for senior officers. Then, there's the expansion to 150 hours that can be credited to the final average compensation of some officers who previously were restricted to a maximum of 100 hours. "This contract is really taking care of us and we are very happy with all the improvements it brings. MAP did a great job for us." If there was such a thing as a $60,000 wage barrier, it has been smashed. And the result qualifies for the description "Financially superior." The agreement, which went into effect July 1, will boost veteran officers' base salary at $63,891 in July of 2005. This represents an increase of more than 17 percent over the life of the pact. As indicated by Heins' comments, "complete in scope" also applies. Further proof is that the contract also contains provisions that:
Heins emphasized the crucial role played by MAP Executive Director Fred Timpner in negotiating the agreement, which was ratified by nearly a 4-1 margin. "Fred gets a lot of credit," he declared. "This was the first time anyone on our team ever was involved in contract bargaining. "Each of us did a lot of preparation and worked very hard, but Fred should be recognized for providing us with all of the information, guidance and ideas that we needed. He did an excellent job!" The SHPOA negotiating team, in addition to Heins, included Terry Laurencelle, Jim Bryant and Mike Henry. |
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