Michigan Association of Fire Fighters

Unequaled expertise, respect, achievement

MAFF’s staff of labor relations professionals is acknowledged as number one in experience and proven expertise in Michigan. MAFF 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 firefighters' 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 MAFF Labor Relations Specialist has accumulated years of experience in all aspects of representation, established superb credentials, and has gained unsurpassed respect throughout Mchigan's labor relations community.

Most importantly, however, these personal biographies demonstrate the proof of achievement made in MAFF bargaining agreements throughout the years, paying dividends to the hundreds of members who wisely invested their futures in the Michigan Association of Fire Fighters.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FRED TIMPNER

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MAFF Executive Director Fred Timpner has over five decades of experience as a law enforcement labor leader. The former President of Southfield Police Officers’ Association (SPOA) not only oversees the day-to-day operations of MAFF, MAP and MAPE, but also takes a seat at the bargaining table remaining fully immersed in the ever changing labor relations field. Within a year of joining Southfield Police Department in 1971, he was chosen as a Shift Steward and soon after, elected Vice President and then President of the 100-member group. Prepared with his considerable labor relations studies and obvious leadership qualities in the field, he began his new career as a full-time union service professional just a few years into the modern era of the law enforcement movement. Timpner rapidly demonstrated his talents in labor relations, earning a reputation as an expert in contract negotiations, grievances and grievance arbitrations. He negotiated two “breakthrough” collective bargaining agreements: In Sterling Heights, he brought base wages to over $92,000 per year – a first for Michigan Officers. Years prior, he smashed the $30,000 a year barrier in the state. He is one of a select few professionals experienced in presenting Act 312 arbitration cases. Timpner earned a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree from University of Detroit. With his excellent credentials, Timpner has been called upon to teach college courses in the labor relations field.

DIRECTOR JERALD JAMES

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MAFF Director Jerald James has represented public sector workers for over two decades serving paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMT's) for the City of Detroit Emergency Medical Services. He's been committed to public service since graduating high school in 1988, becoming a licensed Paramedic/EMT in 1989 and was hired by the City of Detroit in 1991. His union career track began in 1995 as Union Steward with International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) for 8 years. He became EMS Officers Association (EMSOA) Local President in 2003, after being promoted to Lieutenant, and several years later Captain. He was promoted to EMS Superintendent in 2010, the highest position in the organization, where he remained until 2014, when he voluntarily stepped down to his prior position of Captain while taking on the duties of President of EMSOA again. James was instrumental in affiliating the local association with MAFF. After 25 years of dedicated public service, he retired in 2016 and was subsequently hired full time by MAFF/MAP/MAPE, representing over 25 bargaining units comprised of public and private sector employees. He made history, leading the way to the largest settlement with the City of Detroit EMS, a $220,000 pay increase for newly hired Paramedics. In fact, James been instrumental in recovering over $400,000 in lost wages and benefits for members. From Employee to supervisor to high-ranking administrator, he has unique insight into contract negotiations and enforcement, grievances and grievance arbitrations, mediation, employee rights, the Michigan Public Employee Relations Act, and the National Labor Relations Act. He’s worked with or across the table from some of the largest labor unions in Southeast Michigan and served on both sides of the table bargaining during the City of Detroit Bankruptcy. James graduated from Eastern Michigan University Fire Staff and Command Academy.

LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST GREGG ALLEN

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IMG 5066GreggAllenHeadshot4Gregg Allen retired as a Waterford Township Police Detective in July 2022 after 21 years of service. The last 2 years he held the position of Local Union President. Prior to that, he was Secretary for 2 years and Union Trustee for several years, with experience in negotiations, grievances and discipline matters. He served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Accident Investigator and an Honor Guard member. He worked for Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Auto Theft Unit for 3 years and investigated suspicious fires, working with Waterford Township Fire Department to bring criminals to prosecution. Allen is a Paid-on-Call (POC) Firefighter with North Oakland County Fire Authority, protecting his hometown of Holly since 2010. A former POC Sergeant for 3 years, he also 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. A MAP member nearly his entire public safety career, he served as a Grosse Pointe Park Public Safety Officer for 7 years prior to joining Waterford Township PD. Allen began representing MAP members as a Local Union Trustee in Grosse Pointe Park. He’s a graduate of Wayne County Regional Police Academy and Detroit Fire Academy with Firefighter I and II, Company Officer I and II, and Hazardous Materials Operations certifications. The licensed EMT was a Walled Lake POC Firefighter from 1987 to 1995, serving as Team Leader, the equivalent of a Lieutenant, during his last 3 years with the department. Allen has an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Oakland Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Colorado State University.

LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST CHRIS BELLING

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CHRIS BELLINGBioPix2Retired Waterford Township Police Sgt. Chris Belling was honored with the inaugural Richard C. Heins Outstanding Service Award in 2019 for exceptional representation of his Local MAP unit. Known for ensuring his fellow Union members are treated fairly, he’s sharing his expertise with all Union members. The Road Patrol Sergeant retired from Waterford Township PD in 2020 after serving 21 years with the department. A MAP member for most of his law enforcement career, he began representing co-workers as a Local Union Steward before being elected to the Local Union Board as Secretary. He ran unopposed every election after his first, serving as Vice President and President of the Board. He has over 15 years of experience in negotiations, grievances and discipline matters. Belling was a Waterford Township Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Firearms Training Instructor, a Police Sniper with the Waterford Township Special Response Team, an Honor Guard member and a Detective for over 7 years. He served as a Highland Park Department of Public Safety Officer in 1999 and was on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps for 4 years. He has an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Oakland Community College and graduated from Oakland Police Academy. 

LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST JOSEPH O'CONNOR

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Joseph O’Connor retired from the Sterling Heights Police Department after 31 years of service, spending 17 years as a dues-paying MAP member. Prior to being promoted to Sergeant, he served 8 years as Grievance Committee Chairman for Sterling Heights Police Officers Association. O’Connor reviewed all complaints with the goal of resolving issues at the lowest level possible in the grievance process. While serving as Grievance Committee Chairman, he attended several seminars and training sessions dealing with internal affairs investigations, enhancing service to members. As a member of the contract negotiation team for Sterling Heights Police Officers Association, he was instrumental in settling multi-year collective bargaining agreements. His vast knowledge representing members during discipline hearings and contract negotiations is invaluable. O’Connor’s wealth of union experience extends into his personal life, growing up the son of a United Auto Workers (UAW) Committeeman. By age 10, he began attending UAW meetings with his father. It’s this kind of influence, experience and background that guides O’Connor to use a diplomatic approach when striving to resolve issues.

LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST JAMES STEFFES

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James Steffes was a Local Executive Board official with Sterling Heights Police Department when he became part of the team breaking statewide barriers in wage and benefit packages with the help of MAP’s Executive Director Fred Timpner. While serving as a Patrolman, he was active with the Grievance Committee for 8 years, representing Officers during internal investigations and handling grievances on behalf of the Patrolman’s Association, including testifying in grievance arbitrations. Hired in 1973 as a Sterling Heights Police Cadet, he was promoted to Patrolman in 1976 working in Road Patrol, the Evidence Technician Unit, and eventually Traffic Safety. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1996 and later served as Afternoon Shift Road Patrol Sergeant, handling scheduling, district assignments, and overtime equalization for 24 patrol officers until his retirement in 1999. The 26-year police veteran moved to Florida in 2003 and was hired as a Building Inspector for Pasco County, obtaining his Florida structural inspections license in 2004. Later he became a Commercial Structural Inspector with Quorum Services in Tampa, inspecting several large expansions at Hillsborough Community College Ruskin Campus. In 2008, James returned to Michigan and joined MAFF as a Labor Relations Specialist. His personality and disposition are a perfect fit for successfully handling difficult contract situations including negotiations, grievances and grievance arbitrations for MAFF over the past 15 years.

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LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST CHAD TRUSSLER

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LtChadTrusslerBio2Chad Trussler served 15 years combined as Local Union President for Beverly Hills Public Safety Command Officers Association and a Steward and Treasurer of Beverly Hills Public Safety Officers Association. The retired Beverly Hills Public Safety Lieutenant was cross-trained, working in firefighting and EMS during his 20 years with the department. As a Patrol Officer, he worked as a Field Training Officer, School Resource Officer (2008-2012) and Detective. He was promoted to Command as a Patrol Sergeant and reassigned as a Detective Sergeant. In 2017, Trussler was promoted to Lieutenant, managing the entire Patrol Division with over 20 public safety personnel, until his retirement in 2021. His assignments included Field Training Supervisor, Background Investigator, Police Training Coordinator, Fire Officer, Grant Writer and Internal Investigator. As Union President and a Labor Relations Specialist since 2020, Trussler has negotiated generous collective bargaining agreements and severance agreements for members. His severance agreement negotiations have landed members over $500,000. He's negotiated significant wage increases and pension improvements in several contracts.  Representing several hundred MAP/MAPE/MAFF members, Trussler is heavily involved in recruiting new members and the education of new local units. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Madonna University and graduated Eastern Michigan University’s School of Police Staff & Command. Trussler teaches at Oakland Police Academy, including Labor Relations courses. He’s also an instructor at Eastern Michigan University School of Police Staff & Command on various labor topics, including contract negotiations, discipline issues, Garrity, Weingarten, and management and union relations.

LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST ED WERTZ

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Ed Wertz accumulated two decades of labor experience serving on the Detroit Police Officers Association (DPOA) Executive Board, chairing their Finance Committee and Bylaws Committee, and serving on the Election Committee. The retired Detroit Police Officer served 32 years with the department, 28 of which with the prestigious Mounted Police Section. He personally handled over 100 grievances and was instrumental in providing goals and direction for the DPOA membership in the collective bargaining process. Wertz served as Retired Detroit Police and Firefighter Association Vice President for two years and President for three years. He was a board member of Police Benefit and Protective Association, also affiliated with Detroit Police. He volunteered as a member of Detroit Police Athletic League and remains active as a Knights of Columbus member. Wertz earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Henry Ford Community College. He takes his responsibilities to the membership seriously, serving as a MAFF Labor Relations Specialist since October 2007.

LEGAL COUNSEL TONY SPOKOJNY

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Tony Spokojny has a longstanding relationship with the Union and Executive Director Fred Timpner, providing legal services to MAFF and members as needed since 1992. In early 2023, he formally joined the organization as MAFF's Legal Counsel. The Bingham Farms attorney is head of the Law Offices of Anthony Spokojny with over 40 years of legal experience in Michigan courts, representing a diverse group of clients including union and non-union employees and other clients against employers, corporations, and insurance companies. He has successfully argued in the Michigan Supreme Court and the Michigan Court of Appeals. Tony earned an AV rating of “outstanding” from Martindale-Hubble Lawyer Ratings, the premier peer review organization in the country. He has developed a specialty in wrongful termination, breach of contract, discrimination and other work-related disputes. He received his bachelors of arts degree from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctorate from Detroit College of Law, which has since become Michigan State University College of Law. Tony spent 34 years on the West Bloomfield Environmental Commission, serving as its Chairman and Vice Chairman for 30 years. He has appeared on several occasions before the Michigan Legislature to argue in favor of retaining the strong provisions of the Michigan Environmental Protection Act. In 1999, he was invited to bring his son’s Andover (Bloomfield Hills) High School soccer team to Cuba to compete against the Cuban Junior National Team in their Día de Fútbol. Tony organized the trip for the Andover team, which is the only organized group of high school students to visit Cuba. A youth sports commissioner in the West Bloomfield area, Tony has qualified for and completed five Boston Marathons and competed in many triathlons, including the USA Triathlon National Championships in Hilton Head, SC.