Labor Specialists
Unequaled expertise, respect, achievement
MAP’s staff of labor relations professionals is acknowledged as number one in experience and proven expertise in Michigan. MAP has earned this recognition by achieving an unequaled record of success in all phases of union representation.
Experience serves as an invaluable resource within the field of labor relations, perhaps even more so within law enforcement representation. Experience reflects not only longevity - many years of performing highly specialized work - but also steady growth and adaptability to an ever-changing profession. Expertise is similarly valuable attribute. Except for documented credentials, however, it is largely a matter of esteem afforded by other prominent figures in areas of labor relations. As the following individual profiles will clearly illustrate, each MAP Labor Relations Specialist has accumulated years of experience in all aspects of representation, established superb credentials, and has gained unsurpassed respect throughout Michigan's labor relations community.
Most importantly, however, these personal biographies demonstrate the proof of achievement. For example, MAP negotiated the state's first-ever contract to pay officers more than $92,000 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.
By Jennifer Gomori, MAP Editor
Retired Waterford Township Police Sgt. Chris Belling received the inaugural Richard C. Heins Outstanding Service Award in 2019 for exceptional representation of his Local MAP unit. Now he’s sharing that expertize with all Union members.
Belling was hired as a MAP Labor Relations Specialist in July 2023. The Road Patrol Sergeant retired from Waterford PD in 2020, after spending most of his law enforcement career as a MAP member and a decade serving in various roles on the Local Union Board.
“Pretty much my whole career I was a MAP member, definitely, 20 of the 21 years,” he said.
Belling started representing co-workers as a Local Union Steward for Waterford Township Police Officers Association. He was voted onto the board as Secretary and ran unopposed in subsequent elections, serving as Local Vice President and President.
“I was Vice President for four years and then I became President until I got promoted to Sergeant at the beginning of 2020, just prior to retiring,” Belling said. “And that’s when I went into a different union for Command.”
By Jennifer Gomori, MAP Editor
After spending nearly his entire law enforcement career as a MAP member and several years as a Local Union representative, Gregg Allen is sharing his experience as a MAP Labor Relations Specialist.
Allen was hired Oct. 3, 2022, after retiring as a Waterford Township Police Detective in July 2022. He served the department 21 years, spending the last two years as Local Union President.
“I was the Local Union Trustee for several years before becoming the Secretary for two years and then President for the last two years,” Allen said. “Initially, I wanted to get more involved with the Union so I began working as a Trustee because … there weren’t any (board) positions available. When the Secretary retired, I put in for it and got more involved with negotiations, grievances and discipline. The President later retired, but the Vice President didn’t want the position and I had more experience than him, so I ran for President.”
Allen is in his 12th year protecting his community as a Paid-on-Call (POC) Firefighter with North Oakland County Fire Authority, in Holly and Rose Township. A former POC Sergeant, he’s represented North Oakland County Firefighters Association members as an Executive Board Sergeant At Arms and Secretary for one term each. Through the Association he’s helped with many local fundraisers for area children.