The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Construction Committee Meets Jan. 14

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 14 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.  Please contact the LMC for more information.

Construction Committee Focus on Federal Issues

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost
Attending:  Terry Akins, Tim Bell, Rosana Biondo, KC Borden, Jim Delaney, Gary Eagan, Lyle Farrand, Don Greenwell,  Scottt Hoisington, Steve Janasz, Pat Julo, Dave Kendrick, Bob Looman, Dave Lovetere, Payne Mendenhall, Herb Millard,  Dennis O’Grady, Colleen White, Bob Jacobi,.
•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.
•Sponsors are being sought for the Construction Summit Jan. 29.  Invitations will be sent soon.
•The LMC Board will meet with KCMO Interim City Manager Troy Schulte in January.  The city’s purchasing policies will be one of the items discussed.
•The U.S. Senate health care bill still has a benefits tax; the level of small business exemption is also an issues.  A bill is expected to be voted on soon so input to area senators is crucial.  NECA and MCA support an exemption level of five employees/$200K.
•Jackson County and the Missouri Dept. of Labor have agreed on prevailing wage enforcement.
•WIth EPA enforcement of lead awareness training for workers on non-certified structures built after 1978 that will house children beginning in April 2010, there is grave concern about getting workers trained.  Fines will be $37,0000 per day per worker. The Builders’ and Building Trades met with Rep. Cleaver and he is sympathetic but administration action is needed to either postpone the effective date or reduce the fines.  Bob Jacobi was asked to set up a meeting with Sen. McCaskill’s office on this issue.  The Builders’ is doing training in January, February and March.
•Efforts are underway to return to previous rules related to pension fund balances for multiemployer plans--HR 3936.
•The Building Trades is working with groups to educate weatherization workers in what is needed to qualify for apprenticeship programs.  Davis-Bacon wage rates that were set are too low to integrate the weatherization efforts and apprenticeship programs.
•The Missouri Dept. of Labor quickly got bids put out on millions in stimulus money for water and wastewater treatment.
•Contractors on public projects who fall behind on fringe fund payments--an increasingly common situation across the state.  Such practices can create violations of prevailing wage and other legal problems.  Unions, funds and general contractors are urged to address such problems early, 1-2 months in, rather than when subcontractors are many months behind.
•Gary Eagan will represent the LMC on the City of IndependenceCDBD/HOME Annual Advisory Committee.
•Enforcement is increasing on employee withholding funds being put in their 401K and other trust funds
•Bridgette Williams is leaving the Greater KC AFL-CIO for the Heavy Constructors Association.  She is being replaced as president by Pat Dujakovich, Fire Fighters Local 3808, and Pat Julo, Pipefitters Local 533, will become secretary -treasurer.
•Legislative sessions begin Jan. 7 in Missouri and Jan. 11 in Kansas.
•The American Diabetes Association is holding a “Let’s Get Jazzed” fundraiser Jan. 20, 6-9 p.m. at the American Jazz Museum. Sponsorships are being sought; contact Herb Millard or Paul Stucky for idetails.
•Rosie Biondo will be installed as chairman of the Kansas City Kansas Chamber Feb. 25.
•IBEW Local 124 will hold a Green Summit at it s hall April 8.
•Colleen White thanks those who made contributions to H.O.R.S.E., a charity for children with autism.
•The next meeting will be Jan. 14, 2010, 8 a.m. at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
•M/S/C to adjourn.

Changes at the Greater KC AFL-CIO: Bridgette Williams is leaving to join the Heavy Constructors Association as associate director; Pat Dujakovich, Fire Fighters Local 3808, is moving up from secretary-treasurer to replace her and Pat Julo, Pipefitters Local 533, is replacing him.

The U.S. Department of Labor has released its goals for 2010. To see the statement, go to www.reginfo.gov/public/jsp/eAgenda/StaticContent/200910/Statement_1200.html

Photos Now Available from Public Officials Reception

Check the photo album at left for the 2009 Public Officials Reception held Nov. 19 at the Downtown Marriott/Muehlbach.  More than 100 elected and appointed officials, labor and management leaders and friends of the LMC attended.  Sponsors included:

Cabinet Level--Fire Fighters Local 42

Senator Level--Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council, Operative Plasterers' & Cement Masons Local 518, Pipefitters Local 533

Representative Level--Builders' Association, Teamsters Local 541

Assistant Level--Boiilermakers Local 83, Husch Blackwell Sanders, J.E. Dunn Construction Co., Mark One Electric Co., Inc., Missouri AFL-CIO, Sprinkler Fitters Local 314, Turner Construction Co.

Supporter Level--AFL-CIO Tri-County Labor Council of Eastern Kansas, Mechanical Contractors Association, SMACNA-KC, Financial Counselors, Inc.

The LMC thanks its sponsors and all who attended.

Construction Committee Meets Dec. 10

The LMC Construction Industry Committee will next meet at 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 10 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.  Please contact the LMC for details.

Mid-Level Participants Learn From Experts

The 2009-2010 Mid-Level Leadership Program nears the end of its Fall term with presentations from top area experts.

On Nov. 4 the focus was labor and employment law.  This is an exciting time in labor law, with a new majority coming on the National Labor Relations Board, possible historic changes in the NLRA and a new legal frontier for Missouri public employees, the panel of attorneys told participants.  Other key trends include:

•More cooperation where existing union-management relations exist, and continued management resistance to organizing in the private sector;

•Pensions are quickly emerging as the next major challenging issue as health care has been (and may continue to be) for successful contract negotiations.

•Increased use of state court in Missouri for employment discrimination cases rather than federal court.

The panel including Angie Atkinson, Blake & Uhlig; John Phillips, Husch Blackwell Sanders and LMC executive committee; and Louie Wright, Fire Fighters Local 42 president, an attorney and past LMC Co-Chair.

On Nov. 11 participants engaged in an in-depth discussion and heard a presentation on generational diversity in the workplace from Gary O'Bannon, director of human resources for the city of Kansas City, Mo., and a Mid-Level graduate.  O'Bannon provided understanding of how generational differences affect workplace relationships as well as tools for bridging the gaps.

Construction Committee Sets Summit Date

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost
Attending:  Terry Akins, Rosana Biondo, KC Borden, Kerry Brandt, Jim Delaney, Sang Duong, Gary Eagan, Lyle Farrand, Bob Gregory, Don Greenwell,  Steve Janasz, Frank Jackson, Dave Kendrick, Bob Looman, Dave Lovetere, Payne Mendenhall, Herb Millard,  Dan Osman,  Paul Stucky, Craig Wright, Bob Jacobi,.
•Iintroductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.
•The committee agreed to set Jan. 29, 2010 as the date for the Construction Industry Summit.
•We are waiting for potential dates for a meeting with Wayne Cauthen and key city staff.
•The health care reform bill passed by the House does not contain a tax on employee health benefits, though the most recent Senate version does.  Concern was also expressed that the small business exemption, whether 25 employees or $500,000 payroll, would provide a competitive advantage to contractors who do not provide health care benefits.
•The Honeywell plant project was approved by the KCMO PIEA; a late spring-early summer groundbreaking is expected.
•All three issues backed by the LMC on Nov. 3 passed.
•A recommendation on the Kansas casino projects is due Nov. 29.
•Missouri’s new economic development director, Dave Kerr, previously served as Kansas Commerce Secretary.
•The Missouri Senate appropriations Committee will be holding a hearing on the Dept. of Labor budget Dec. 7 at the Capitol; one for Economic Development is Dec. 8.
•The Kansas City Ballet, a $20  million project, breaks ground Nov. 13 at 10 a.m.
•KC Crew will honor Rosie Biondo at a Nov. 17 luncheon.
•The LMC Public Officials Reception is Nov. 19; more than 100 have RSVP’d.  Sponsors and RSVPs are still being sought (sponsorship form attached--please feel free to share if you have already sponsored).
•The LMC Awards Dinner has been set for April 15, 2010.
•The American Diabetes Association is holding a pre-gala event Jan. 20 at the Jazz Museum; contact Herb Millard or Paul Stucky for details.
•Planned and potential projects on the horizon were discussed including $77 million for area water and sewer projects just announced (MO Dept. of Labor will disperse funds), 811 Grand, $58 million Independence School District bonds approved Nov. 3 with bids likely to gout in March, 1007 Grand, NBAF and Ftr. Riley in Kansas, GSA remains in political limbo, Bolling Federal Building rehab, and planned Blue Springs Innovation Park that is seeking the University of Missouri as an early tenant and animal science research/businesses.
•An EPA requirement on buildings without a lead-free certificate will mean that all workers doing rehab/repairs will need lead-awareness training as of April 2010.  The Builders’ Association is offering trainings Jan. 5, Feb. 23 and March 30 and the Building Trades are also planning training.
•The annual Christmas in the City bike giveaway is Dec. 16 at UAW Local 31; bike drop off and repair begin Dec. 4 and 5.  Bikes, volunteers and monetary donations are still needed.  Nearly 500 kids received bikes last year.
•The American Subcontractors Association is accepting nominations for its awards for general and for subcontractors through Nov. 30.
•Dave Kendrick’s cousin is involved with Operation Baghdad Pups which will be featured in a documentary on the Military Channel Sunday, Nov. 15 at 9 p.m.
•The next meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 10 at Mark One.
•Adjourn.

LMC's Tuesday Endorsements

The LMC urges support for the following issues on the Nov. 3 ballot:

 •Jackson County COMBAT sales tax renewal.  The COMBAT program has been internationally recognized for its success in addressing drug-related crime both through law enforcement and rehabilitation.  The program funds many police and sheriff officers plus 260 cells for drug offenders in the Jackson County jail.  The special drug court funded by the tax provides rehabilitation for users with a very high success rate.

 •Independence School District bond issue.  The growing district needs to expand and enhance its facilities to meet the educational needs of the district's children.  The bond issue will have a minimal impact on property taxes and generate economic development as well.

 •Clay County Law Enforcement Tax renewal.  This sales taxprovides key revenue for operation of the county sheriff and jail.  With Clay County among the fastest growing area counties, maintaining low crime is crucial for economic development.  Key programs such as school resource officers and emergency response teams are funded through the tax.

Endorsements require support from a minimum of 75% of the labor and 75% of the management representatives on the board.  Each of the above endorsements was unanimous.

Construction Committee Meets Nov. 12

The LMC's Construction Industry Committee will next meet at 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 12 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.  Contact the LMC for more information.