The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC Construction Industry Committee will next meet at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 8 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.

Ash Grove Cement has the following position open:

Employee and Labor Relations Director

Ash Grove Cement Company, privately controlled and one of the largest domestically owned cement companies in the US, is seeking a qualified individual to direct the Company’s employee relations activities and to negotiate and manage labor contracts for Ash Grove and its subsidiaries.

The successful candidate must have a BS degree with 5 to 7 years experience in employment/labor relations in a union environment. Must possess strong people and organizational skills with proven ability to lead and implement change and improvement. Must have demonstrated success in building long-term relationships utilizing effective and consistent communication skills. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office products.

Requires up to 40% travel.

To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ashgrove.com .

Ash Grove offers outstanding benefits and a rewarding work environment. Send resume to: Ash Grove Cement, HR Department 11011 Cody, OP, KS 66210. Fax: (913) 345-4263. steve.brown@ashgrove.com.

EEO

The LMC is pleased to welcome Construction and General Laborers Local 264 to membership. Local 264's contact information:
Construction & General Laborers Local 264
Reginald Thomas, President & Business Manager
1101 E 87th Street
Kansas City, MO 64131
(816) 361-1000; fax 361-2020

www.local264.org

The Builders' Association has announced that James Carson, vice president of Carson-Mitchell Inc., as Chairman of the Board for 2012. Carson-Mitchell, Inc. is a general contractor based in Springfield. The Builders' board of directors includes three members who also serve on the LMC board--Rosana Privitera Biondo, Mike Kotubey and Scott Hoisington.

Construction Committee Addresses Prevailing Wage, Legislation, iBuild

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes 

8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending: Terry Akins, Sam Alpert, Jack Bainbridge,  Troy Carlson, Jim Delaney, Don Greenwell, Scott Hoisington, Joe Hudson, Steve Janasz,  Pat Julo, Garry Kemp, Kevin King, Dave Kendrick, Ron Johnson, Bill Livingston, Alise Martiny, Payne Mendenhall, Vince Migliazzo, Herb Millard, Dan Osman,  Barbara Schilling, John Tompson, Colleen White, Keith Winn, Doug York, Cindy Dodge, Bob Jacobi.

•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.

•The May committee meeting only will be held on the 2nd Friday,  May 11, at 8 a.m., Mark One Electric Co., Inc. and will include Esther George, new president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.  Committee members are asked to bring economic forecasts from their organizations’ perspective to the meeting to present to George.

•A subcommittee will meet with KCMO City Manager Troy Schulte and city staff regarding the patrol station project and the KCCP on Feb. 21 at 1 p.m.  Research will also be done on issues including the Section 3 requirements.  Please contact Bob Jacobi if you wish to attend.

•M/S/C to issue a letter in support of federal TIGER funding for a proposed light rail (streetcar) line in Kansas City.  Committee members are encouraged to issue support letters as well.  The committee will seek further research on the project’s funding and will invite the Regional Transit Alliance to present on the larger “Sanders Plan” for commuter rail at a future meeting.

•The Prevailing Wage Subcommittee is close to recommending ordinance language for KCMO.  Attorney Cindy Dodge, who is volunteering to review the language, said progress is being made.  The subcommittee also submitted a draft (attached) for the LMC role in submitting FOI requests for certified payrolls.  Comment on the draft is requested soon so it can be presented at the next committee meeting for recommendation to the LMC board.  Please provide comments to KevinKing, kevin@rooferslocal20.com, 313-9420.

•Missouri SBs 438 and 439 are now on the Senate Informal Calendar and could come to the floor at any time.  Committee members are urged to continue contacting Senators to express opposition to these bills.

•Kansas HB 2592, which would require government contractors to pay only the minimum wage and ban local governments from enacting a prevailing wage, was tabled in the Commerce Committee.  It could be brought back.  KS HB 2515, to ban PLAs, was amended to clarify and passed the committee with a floor vote expected soon.  SB 318 requiring Kansas workers on government contracts; moves are being made to amend to include workers in counties that border Kansas.  HB 2501, regarding property tax on machinery and equipment, may be needed to prevent counties from circumventing the business exemption enacted several years ago.  The attorney general opinion on the Mission driveway tax has generated requests for refunds, and legal action may be taken.

•Research will be done to help identify signatory minority contractors and to clarify that sufficient union minority contractors exist to meet and exceed requirements.  Sandra Walker with KCMO will be contacted.

•The Hollywood Casino has opened and was a highly successful project.

•NICE’s next iBuild Showcase has been extended to April 30, 2013.  A Crayons to CAD contest event will be held at the Builders’ Association April 26 and judges will be needed.

•The next meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, March 8 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

•Adjourned at 9:15 a.m.Upcoming Events 

*KCASA Contractor Expo, Feb. 16, 4-7 p.m., Kauffman Center for Performing Arts 

*Rally for Historic Tax Credit, Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m., The Terrace on Grand 1520 Grand 

*KC CREW Impact Awards, Feb. 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m., location TBA

*Unified Government MBE/WBE Construction Fair, March 6, 3-6 p.m., City Hall

*New Markets Tax Credit Summit, March 14, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Kauffman Foundation 

*FMCS Director George Cohen Speaks in KC, March 22 

*Builders’ Midwest Safety Conference, March 21-23, Adams Pointe Conference Center 

*KC CREW luncheon, March 27, 11:30 a.m., Mission Hills Country Club 

*LMC Awards Dinner, April 12, Argosy Casino 

*KCASA Awards Dinner, April 19, Ritz Charles 

*Jazz Event for American Diabetes Association, April 25 

*Working Families Friend Texas Holdem Tournament, 5:30 p.m., April 27, Pipefitters/Plumbers Hall 

*Construction Committee meeting date change for May, to Friday, May 11

*Builders’ Association Scholarship Golf Tournament, May 15, Milburn Country Club 

*KCASA Sport Shoot, May 18, Powder Creek 

*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament, June 20, Teetering Rocks 

*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 15-18, Lodge of the Four Seasons 

*LMC Golf Tournament, July 23, Oakwood Country Club 

*GKC Building Trades Golf Tournament, Aug. 16, Eagles Landing Golf Club 

*Working Families Friend Fall Cookout, Sept. 6

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost, KCMO. Contact the LMC for details.

LMC Board Sets Issue Positions

The Labor-Management Council Board of Directors voted Jan. 19 to adopt the following issue positions:

Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City Issue Positions 2012 

The following positions have been adopted by the Board of Directors with support from at least 75% of the management board members and 75% of the labor board members. 

Federal

•Support construction of a downtown Kansas City, Mo. federal office building. 

•Support construction of the Keystone pipeline project. 

Watch List:

 •Oppose a benefits tax in  federal health care reform.  

 •Any future stimulus funds include significant vertical construction projects. 

Missouri

•The LMC supports reasonable and effective economic development incentives.  While the LMC supports ensuring that tax credits and other incentives are cost effective, we want to preserve those tax credits crucial to economic development such as the historic tax credit, tax increment financing.  The LMC also supports enhancing the Quality Jobs program.  The LMC also supports enhanced education and training tax credits, as long as those programs include existing construction apprenticeship and journeyman training programs.  Evaluation of projects supported by the Quality Jobs Act and other tax credit programs should include the impact of construction jobs created by the programs.  The LMC also supports cost effective credits for solar energy development. 

•The LMC opposes SB 438 and similar legislation to impose “right-to-work.” 

•The LMC supports maintaining and increasing Medicaid eligibility and adequate provider reimbursement.  

•The LMC supports maintaining or increasing funding for programs that foster economic development and provide critical services, particularly education, childcare subsidies for working parents and arts development. 

•The LMC supports restoration of Missouri programs that foster economic development and provide critical services such as Medicaid, education, the arts, childcare subsidies for working parents and others.  

•The LMC supports state funding for a comprehensive transportation plan. 

•The LMC supports Prevailing Wage in its present form. 

•The LMC opposes TABOR (taxpayer bill of rights). 

•The LMC endorses retention of the Missouri Plan for judicial selection and the similar policy that exists in Kansas. 

•The LMC opposes attempts to ban affirmative action programs.

•The LMC supports development of a statutory framework for public employee collective bargaining in Missouri to reduce uncertainty for workers and for public employers.  

Watch:  Unemployment Insurance, Workers Compensation, Utility Rates & Energy Capacity, Immigration, Trespassing, Term Limits.

Kansas

•The LMC supports reasonable and effective economic development incentives. 

•The LMC supports continued funding for the comprehensive transportation plan.

 •The LMC opposes immigration reform proposals that would put the burden of I-9 verification on contractors for subcontractors.  Verification responsibility should fall only on the direct employer of those workers.

 Watch:  Kansas “driveway” tax (proposed requirement for impact study if increasing user fees), Income Tax Changes, Workforce training initiatives.

 Local

•The LMC opposes elimination of the Kansas City, Mo. city earnings tax until an alternative is in place. 

Watch:  Bidding practices in local governments, particularly regarding design build in KCMO and Johnson County (KS), KCMO Development Code, Jackson County implementation of PACE, Renewal of KCMO auto license tax, Rail and Streetcar projects.

 

Missouri Senate committees hold hearings today on two bills of interest to the LMC: SB 439, regarding prevailing wage in disaster areas (1 p.m. in Small Business Committee) and SB 438, "right-to-work" (3 p.m. in the General Laws committee). The LMC strongly opposes both bills and encourages contact with state senators, especially committee members, in opposition.
Also note that tonight Gov. Jay Nixon releases his budget and other proposals as part of the "state of the state" address. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback did the same thing last week.

Construction Committee Talks With Schulte, Announces Hearings

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Sam Alpert, Jack Bainbridge, Rosana Privitera-Biondo, Troy Carlson, Greg Chastain, Jim Delaney, Joe Hudson, Steve Janasz,  Dennis Joyce, Garry Kemp, Kevin King, Dave Kendrick, Bill Livingston, Payne Mendenhall, Herb Millard, Lonnie Scott, John Tompson, Colleen White, Tom Whittaker, Keith Winn, Troy Schulte, Patti Gelnar, Bob Jacobi.
•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.
•Presentation from Troy Schulte, City Manager, Kansas City, Mo., regarding possible use of Kansas City Construction Partners on upcoming East Police Patrol Station.  A committee including representatives from the LMC and city personnel will be formed to begin meeting.  Recruitment of MBE/WBE contractors and meeting workforce goals will be crucial for this project.  The city is also interested in assistance in gaining more bonding authority for future needed projects.
Discussion of the KCCP emanating from the Construction Committee also took place.
•M/S/C to request that the Prevailing Wage Subcommittee develop a plan for accessing whole-job certified payrolls for key prevailing wage projects via the LMC.  This and further joint efforts to enhance enforcement of prevailing wage in all applicable jurisdictions will be pursued.
•Presentation from Patti Gelnar, CINTOco, which does compliance management for health care that can improve care quality and reduce costs by focusing on the most difficult cases. The firm is currently working with Taft-Hartley Trusts in St. Louis as well as purchasing group for school districts in the Kansas City area.   For those interested in more information, her contact information is 888-627-7525, ext. 100, email patricia.gelnar@cintcohealth.com
•The Missouri Senate will hold hearings Jan. 17 at the State Capitol on “right-to-work” and anti-prevailing wage bills (see attached details).  The ‘right-to-work” bill is SB 438 to be heard in the Senate General Laws committee at 3 p.m. and the bill to eliminate prevailing wage from disaster areas, SBs 439/496, will be heard at 1 p.m. in the Small Business etc. committee.  Testimony lists are being developed and will include the researchers on the prevailing wage and “right-to-work” studies produced by the Council for American Business.

•Upcoming Events
  *U.S. House convenes, Jan. 17
  *Missouri Senate Hearing on SB 439/496, 1 p.m., State Capitol
  *Missouri Senate Hearing on SB 438, 3 p.m. State Capitol
  *Gov. Nixon State of the State, Jan. 17
  *KC CREW Luncheon, Parkville development, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 17, Mission Hills CC
  *LMC Board Meeting, Jan. 19
  *KCASA Monthly Meeting, Jan. 19, 7:30 a.m., Mark One. Mike Sanders speaks.
  *U.S. Senate convenes, Jan. 23
  *KCHACE Luncheon on Cerner West project, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 25, KCK Hilton
  *KCASA Contractor Expo, Feb. 16, 4-7 p.m., Kauffman Center for Performing Arts
  *KC CREW Impact Awards, Feb. 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m., location TBA
  *LMC Awards Dinner, April 12, Argosy Casino
  *KCASA Awards Dinner, April 19, Ritz Charles
  *KCASA Sport Shoot, May 18, Powder Creek
  *Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 15-18, Lodge of the Four Seasons
  *LMC Golf Tournament, July 23, Oakwood Country Club
  *GKC Building Trades Golf Tournament, Aug. 16, Eagles Landing Golf Club
For details on the above events, please contact the sponsoring group or the LMC.

•The next committee meeting will be at 8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 9 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.
•M/S/C to adjourn.

Mark your calendars: the 2012 LMC Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament will be July 23 at Oakwood Country Club, 8 a.m. shotgun start. More details and registration forms coming.