Unequaled experience, expertise, achievementMAP's staff of labor relation's professionals is acknowledged as number one in experience and proven expertise in the state. It has earned this recognition by achieving an unequaled record of success in all phases of union representation. Experience is, obviously, an extremely valuable commodity in the law enforcement union business. It reflects not only longevity -- many years of performing highly specialized work -- but also steady growth and adaptation, plus total familiarity with every phase of an increasingly complex field of knowledge. Expertise is, of course, a similarly valuable attribute. Except for documented credentials, however, it is largely a matter of the level of esteem afforded by other prominent figures in areas of labor relations. The proverbial "proof of the pudding" is in actual achievement. As the following individual profiles will clearly illustrate, each MAP Labor Relations Specialist has accumulated many years of experience in all aspects of representation, has established superb credentials and has gained unsurpassed respect throughout Michigan's labor relations community. Most important, though, these personal sketches demonstrate the proof of achievement. For example, MAP negotiated the state's first-ever contract to pay officers more than $70,000 in annual wages (Sterling Heights). It should be noted that this amount is in base wages alone, and that the pact also included across-the-board improvements in benefits and special features. MAP contracts consistently rate near the top in wages and benefits, especially when compared with those under which like-size associations in other union's work. Achievement is what ultimately pays superior dividends to the hundreds of officers who have wisely invested in their futures by associating with the Michigan Association of Police. 
Fred Timpner, a former president of the Southfield Police Officers' Association (SPOA) has more than three decades of experience as a law enforcement labor leader. Within a year of joining the department in 1971, he was chosen as a shift steward for his local association. Soon afterward he was elected vice president. A subsequent election made him president of the 100-member group. Timpner's obvious leadership qualities and rapidly demonstrated talents in labor relations made him a high-profile candidate for a new career as a law enforcement union professional. Fortunately for the many hundreds of officers who since have benefited from his negotiating and advocating skills and knowledge, he decided to enter the field. Armed with his considerable natural abilities, his valuable local association experience and a full complement of college-level labor relations studies, he became a full-time union service professional just a few years into the modern era of the law enforcement labor movement. From that beginning, Timpner has earned an enviable reputation as an expert in contract negotiations, grievances and grievance arbitrations. His tremendously successful record has been highlighted by negotiating two "breakthrough" contracts: the agreement in Sterling Heights which for the first time brought base wages of over $70,000 a year to officers in Michigan and the pact which, years previous, smashed the $30,000 a year barrier in the state. Just as important, Timpner is established as one of an elite few professionals who are experienced in presenting Act 312 arbitration cases. His credentials are such, in fact, that the former outstanding student of the discipline has been called upon to teach college courses in labor relations.
Ronald Palmquist is a veteran of 21 years as a Southfield police officer with an ideal background. He was a union steward in the early 1970's, became his POA's secretary by 1980 and served as its president during the '80's. After he was promoted to sergeant in 1986, he was elected the Southfield COA's wage negotiator, which meant he was the chief of the bargaining team. After retiring in 1991 he came to work full-time for the Union. Since then he has gained immeasurable experience negotiating contracts and handling grievances through arbitration for member units. Ron has excellent background experience in dealing with employers and has a first-hand knowledge of what officers need and how to help them get it. He possesses exclusive knowledge in health care and pension plans. “The proof is in the Pudding” as the old adage says, and if it is, one has only to look at some of the collective bargaining contracts negotiated by Ron. They are some of the best that are in the public sector.
Patrick Baidel is a long-time union leader on both the statewide and local levels. He has been employed as a Green Oak Township Police Officer since 1990, and has served for nine terms as president of the MAP Board of Directors. Pat’s role as president involves him in all the key policy-making processes that assure that the widest possible range and highest possible quality of services constantly will be provided to the Union’s members. His experience as a Green Oak Township Police Officer and as an active member of the local MAP association has given him a special appreciation for the needs of law enforcement professionals and the importance of all representation to local associations of all sizes, Baidel, who serves as president of the Green Oak Township Police Officers Association/Michigan Association of Police, negotiates contracts and handles many grievance procedures for that group. As a MAP Labor Relations Specialist, he continues that work on behalf of other MAP associations.
Ed Wertz brings many years of experience to the members of MAP and MAFF, having served with the Detroit Police Department for 32 years and a member of the prestigious Mounted Police Section for 28 years. He served on the DPOA Executive Board for 20 years, chairing their Finance Committee and By Laws committee, as well as having served on their election committee. He has personally handled over 100 grievances and was instrumental in providing the goals and direction for the membership in the collective bargaining process. Ed has also served members of the Retired Detroit Police and Firefighter Association as Vice President for two years and also as their President for three years. In addition, he served the Detroit Police employees as a board member for the Police Benefit and Protective Association. He volunteered his time as a member of the Detroit Police Athletic League, earned his degree from Henry Ford Community College, and continues to be involved with the Knights of Columbus. The Michigan Association of Police is pleased to introduce Ed and welcome him as one of our Labor Relations Specialists. He has always taken his responsibilities seriously and will represent our members well.
James Steffes served 26 years with the Sterling Heights Police Department, retiring as a Sergeant. He was active for eight years with their Grievance Committee and was involved in the Association activities relating to them. He served a full career in a Department that, with the help of MAP’s Fred Timpner, broke many statewide barriers in wage and benefit packages. He has served MAP since 2008. His personality and disposition, along with many years of experience in successfully handling difficult contract situations, lends itself to success.
Donnell Reed began his police career with the Washington DC Metro Transit Police after honorably serving our country in the United States Marine Corps. He joined the Pontiac Police Department, and was elected to his local Association’s offices of Steward and Chief Steward. He then served on the Executive Board as Secretary, and then became their President, serving in that capacity for three consecutive two-year terms. He brings with him experience in contract negotiations and handling grievances. Believing in fighting a good fight for what’s best for the membership leads him to the personal philosophy of “If it’s worth having, it’s worth working for.” Donnell is one of the latest additions to MAP’s staff of Labor Relations Specialists.
Joe O’Connor spent 31 years with the Sterling Heights Police Department and was a dues-paying MAP member for 17 years with his department: Eight years as the Patrol Officers and nine years as a Sergeant. As their Grievance Committee Chairman, he reviewed all complaints and attempted to resolve the issues at the lowest possible level. As a member of the contract negotiation team, he represented his group and was instrumental in settling multi-year Collective Bargaining Agreements. He brings valuable experiences to MAP, MAPE and MAFF in representing members in Disciplinary Hearings and Contract Negotiations. His unique perspective from specialized Internal Affairs training is also an added benefit to our members. Joe comes from a Union family. His father was a Committeeman for the United Auto Workers, and having grown up in a Union household, Joe attended UAW meetings with his father since he was 10 years old. It’s this kind influence, experience and background that leads Joe to using a diplomatic approach in resolving issues. But make no mistake; Joe is not afraid to take a hard-line stand when necessary. Joe always fights to do what’s right for our members. Joe has served as a Labor Relations Specialist for MAP, MAPE and MAFF since November of 2009 representing members from each of our three Associations. We are proud to have Joe as part of our professional family.
John Haase. We are pleased to welcome Labor Relations Specialist John Haase as the newest addition to our staff. John comes to us with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Management from Eastern Michigan University and years of experience as a commercial airline pilot with significant union experience. He began working with the Airline Pilots Association in 2002 and represented the pilots of Northwest Airlines on their Negotiating Committee during Northwest’s bankruptcy process as chairman of the committee during their merger with Delta Airlines. His most challenging assignment, and one of the accomplishments he is most proud of, was the joint Northwest/Delta post-bankruptcy contract. John was able to secure significant improvements for the membership, as well as solving pilot seniority merger issues in a fair manner. John also has extensive grievance handling experience. John’s track record and success in a highly regulated industry like the airlines naturally transfers over to representing governmental employees. In these times of a poor economy, John’s experience in minimizing concessionary agreements is critical. “My method with the Pilots Association was to mine the existing contracts and look for any and all violations, concentrating on those that could bring us the highest dollar amounts and provide us the most leverage. I plan on extracting contract improvements at the earliest opportunity and get back benefits that have been cut, including jobs. Job protection is a high priority for me, as well as mitigating the downside in the economy and the concessionary agreements that are being proposed by employers. I am looking forward to meeting the membership and going to work for them.” John will be representing members in all three of our association groups. |
