Michigan Association of Police

On May 16, 2006, Arbitrator Stanley Dobry handed down his award and came to a decision regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Waterford Township Police Officers.
 
They had been without a contract since June of 2004, but the collective bargaining process led to agreements on several issues. The remaining issues to be decided by the Arbitrator were Wages, Sick Leave to include Short & Long Term Disability.
 
The Arbitrator is required by law to identify each issue as either "economic" or "noneconomic". The classification is critical in that the Arbitrator may adopt either party's offer or its own position on a noneconomic issue. However, on an economic issue, the panel shall adopt the last offer of settlement which, in the opinion of the arbitrator, more nearly complies with the factors set forth by statute. In other words, either one side or the other will win its case.
 
Though sometimes confusing and contradictory testimony by the Township, the Arbitrator was able to determine, contrary to the Township's argument, that Sick Leave is, in fact, an economic issue and ultimately sided with MAP, in effect leaving the policy as is and currently in place. The adage: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" as stated by the colorful president of the United Mine Workers of America John L. Lewis was used by the Arbitrator in his written decision.
 
The proverbial baby was split on wages, as each year was treated separately, and the fourth year was split into two separate periods. Ultimately, the officers received a 9.5% increase in wages over the four-year contract with some retroactivity being granted. Michigan's economic downturn, specifically in manufacturing, and the high unemployment rate were reasons cited by the Arbitrator.
 
It took a long time to get this Collective Bargaining Agreement in place, however Fred Timpner and the Michigan Association of Police never let up, standing by the officers MAP represents every step along the way.