The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Construction Committee Meets Nov. 8

The LMC's Construction Industry Committee will meet at 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc. 909 Troost. Contact Bob Jacobi (816-501-4565, bob.jacobi@rockhurst.edu) with questions and rsvps.

Giving a Speech Isn't So Hard, Mid-Level Students Learn

Giving a presentation can be intimidating, even for experienced speakers. But a few guidelines about organizing the presentation, attention to appearance and awareness of the audience can make the experience less daunting and result in successful communication, Weslynn Martin told participants in the LMC's Mid-Level Leadership Program this week.

Martin, a professor emeritus of communication at Rockhurst University, regularly consults with many organizations and leaders on communication and listening skills. For the Mid-Level class, she does more than talk about presentation skills. Martin uses a video camera to help participants learn what they already do well and how they can improve their presentation skills.

Next week Mid-Level participants have Halloween off. The video taped presentations were scary enough for them. On Nov. 7, Rockhurst University Helzberg School of Management Dean James Daley will lead the class.

LMC Public Officials Reception Set for Nov. 29

The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City and co-sponsors invite you and a guest to our annual

Public Officials Reception
4-6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007
Muehlbach Lobby, Downtown Marriott Hotel

RSVP to (816) 501-4565 or bob.jacobi@rockhurst.edu

Early Co-Sponsors
Representative
Plasterers’ & Cement Masonss Local 518
Pipefitters Local 533
Teamsters Local 541
Assistant Level
Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Truman Medical Centers
Supporter Level
Bricklayers Local 15
Missouri AFL-CIO

KCMO Sales Tax Campaign Heats Up

With the Nov. 6 election just two weeks away, the LMC reminds its members and the community that a "Yes" vote is urged for the Kansas City, Mo., renwal of the sales tax for capital improvements.

The sales tax has been a vital source for much-needed neighborhood and other capital improvements for 25 years. The renwal on the ballot Nov. 6 includes improved transparancy, accountability and focus on neighborhood needs. The LMC Board unanimously voted to endorse the issue.

A fact sheet can be found at Download KCMOSTFACTSHEET.pdf (73.7K)

Please contact the campaign or the LMC with any questions and remember to vote (and urge others to) Nov. 6.

LMC Endorses KCMO Sales Tax Renewal

The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City has endorsed the renewal of the half-cent sales tax for capital improvements on the Kansas City, Mo., ballot Nov. 6.

“Our neighborhoods need the resources available only from this source,” said Bob Jacobi, Labor-Management Council executive director. “A ‘yes’ vote will ensure that the capital improvements program continues to enhance our neighborhoods, create jobs and make Kansas City more attractive for economic development” he added.

The Labor-Management Council’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the Back to the Neighborhoods ballot issue. Comprised of more than 80 companies, unions, governments and nonprofits, the Labor-Management Council enhances collaboration between labor and management in the community. The nonprofit organization is based at Rockhurst University.

For more information contact Bob Jacobi at bob.jacobi@rockhurst.edu or (816) 501-4565.

Mid-Level Participants Hone Listening, Conflict Skills

"Managers are appointed from above, leaders are selected from below" consultant Terry Stone told participants in the LMC's Mid-Level Leadership Program yesterday.

Stone, whose past clients range from J.E. Dunn Construction to school districts to Ford Motor Co. to the Federal Aviation Administration, explained the keys to effective listening when the speaker is "flooded" with stress, givng participants a chance to practice that skill. "People are emotions covered with skin" he noted, and effective leaders help people solve their own problems.

Leaders must sometimes confront issues head-on, Stone said. He shared the key approaches for effective leaders to take so that a confrontation can achieve its goal. "Attack the issue, not the person" he advised, otherwise the real issue won't get resolved.

Stone also recommended two books: "Stewardship" by Peter Block and "L.E.T. (Leader Effectiveness Training) that would provide the participants with more depth and understanding of crucial leadership skills that can be applied by anyone.

Next week participants will learn effective speech-giving and oral communication from Rockhurst University Professor Weslynn Martin.

Next Strategic Planning Session Set

As noted in the minutes from the Oct. 8 session, the next session of the LMC’s strategic planning process will take place:

9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14,
at Blackwell Sanders, 4801 Main Suite 1000

Please RSVP to bob.jacobi@rockhurst.edu if you are able to attend.

Construction Committee Gets NICE Update, Recommends Position

Construction Industry Steering Team Meeting Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost
Attending: Ken Alexander, Jim Beem, Rosie Biondo, Troy Carlson, Garry Kemp, Mike Kotubey, Bob Looman, Payne Mendenhall, Vince Migliazzo, Herb Millard, Rory O’Connor, Lonnie Scott, Jon Tompson, Colleen White, Bob Jacobi, Linda Segebrecht..

•Thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc., for hosting.

•Update on NICE from Linda Segebrecht, Project Explore; Craig Wright and Herb Millard. NICE is implementing curriculum in two Kansas City, Kansas high schools. Teachers are excited as the curriculum brings relevance to the material their students must learn. Ten KCK seniors have also been identified as possible candidates for apprenticeship programs. Plans are moving forward with the Kansas City, Mo. School District, Hickman Mills and North Kansas City. NICE is also applying to participate in Internet 2 to allow for real-time, high definition communication between students in K-12 classrooms and construction sites. Letters of support are needed ASAP (see attached sample) to help insure NICE’s participation. NICE is also being looked at as the K-12 project for Cerner’s Electronic Problem Based Learning, applying an interactive computer program for collaborative medical diagnosis training to be applied to K-12 students. Continued fundraising is also needed for NICE to insure the tremendous progress being made in attracting the construction industry.

•The KCCP model project continues to be on hold as the courts work through the condemnation process for the J.E. Dunn Construction Co. headquarters.

•More than 600 IBEW Local 124 members attended Town Hall meetings, resulting in four key themes that are being tackled by teams including workers and contractors. The results of the process will be revealed by a Mark Breslin presentation Nov. 17.

•The first meeting of the Kansas City, Mo., Workorce committee had been held. The process towards implementation is expected to be slow. There is also concern regarding the MBE/WBE proposed revisions, particularly with the size of eligible contractors. Testimony will be taken at noon Oct. 17 by the City Council committee; it is important to coordinate testimony and communication with the Council.

Concerns were also raised on the new reporting required by the city and the inexperience and rigidity of city staff monitoring the reports. High staff turnover is a problem.

It was also noted that 90% of city contracts fall below the $325,000 reporting threshold, leaving out many minority workers and contractors who are more prevalent on the smaller jobs. Reporting, even voluntary by those falling below the threshold would provide more accurate date.

•Jackson County and other counties are looking at possible prevailing wage ordinances.

•M/S/C with two dissenting votes to recommend that the LMC send a letter to the Missouri Department of Labor & Industrial Relations asking that the Occupational Titles rule not be opened up at this time, noting that a mechanism already exists for addressing needed changes in the title rule. The Department is taking comment on whether or not to open the rules through Nov. 5.

•SB 339 includes a provision for arbitration for state fines issued to contractors. It does not affect local governments’ enforcement efforts.

•Kansas City, Mo., is revising is Planning & Zoning ordinance with a presentation to the City Council expected in the next two weeks. This is expected to be a major overhaul. Contractors and crafts may want to become familiar with the proposed changes.

•There will be an organizational meeting later today for a possible statewide construction labor-management association at the Inn at Grand Glaize, 5 p.m.

•The Minority Coalition Annual Event at noon, Oct. 31, Argosy Casino, still has room for participation. Speakers will include Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser and Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon. Contact April Ramierz, (816) 842-7023, for rsvp and more information.

•The Labor-Management Council annual Public Officials Reception will be held Nov. 29, 4-6 p.m. at the Downtown Marriott/Muehlbach. Invitations and sponsorship requests are going out.

•The LMC Strategic Planning process continues Nov. 14, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Blackwell Sanders, 4801 Main. Participation is important from the construction industry but also from other sectors, both public and private, to expand the LMC’s reach and connections.

•The next Construction Committee meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8.

•Adjourn at 9:30 a.m.

Note: The committee was joined by Vince Migliazzo, representing the American Subcontractors Association.

LMC Continues Strategic Planning Process

LMC Strategic Planning Summary, Session #2, Oct. 8, 2007
Hosted by Blackwell Sanders, 4801 Main, Stuie 1000, Kansas City, Mo.

Participants included:

Donna Birks, President, AFL-CIO Tri-County Labor Council of Eastern Kansas and Financial
Secretary, United Auto Workers Local 31
Allen Dillingham, Builders’ Association
Pat Dunn, Commissiner, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Servvice (facilitator)
Sang T. Duong, SMACNA-KC
Lyle Farrand, Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local 541
Rick Greeno, Western Missouri & Kansas Laborers District Council
Don Greenwell, President, Builders’ Association
Frank Jackson, Business Manager, Plumbers Local 8
Bob Jacobi, Executive Director, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City
Garry Kemp, Business Manager, Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council
Robbie Makinen, Economic Development Coordinator, Jackson County
Jeff Manning, President, United Auto Workers Local 31
Judy Morgan, President, Kansas City Federation of Teachers Local 691
Steve Mullen, Business Manager, Bricklayers Local 15
Rory O’Connor, Senior Vice President, Walton Construction Co.
John Phillips, Partner, Blackwell Sanders
Tom Whittaker, Senior Vice President, J.E. Dunn Construction Co.
Louie Wright, President, Fire Fighters Local 42

This session was devoted to developing the vision of the LMC: what the organization and its results would look like if the mission statement were to be realized. The mission statement is to enhance collaboration by solidifying trust and communication between labor and management in the community.

The group discussed who should be involved in the LMC (participants), what services/activities the LMC would offer, and what would be the LMC’s impact on labor-management relations in the greater Kansas City region and beyond.

Desired participants in the LMC brainstormed by the group were:

1. Labor unions
2. Utilities
3. Government
4. Manufacturing
5. Service
6. Fair representation of union locals and corresponding employers
7. Services to organized labor and their employers
8. Race, gender and ethnicity diversity
9. Educators

The group then honed the list of desired participants to:

1. Fair representation of union locals and corresponding employers in all sectors
2. Representatives of all groups (diversity in its broadest sense)
3. Services to organized labor and their employers

and noted partners would be:

1. Community Economic Development Groups and Chambers
2. Educational institutions
3. Media
4. Charitable organizations
5. Worforce development councils

Services/Activities identified were:

1. Resource center for industry groups
2. Leadership development
3. Develop case studies of best practices
4. Direct education
5. Forum for workforce development
6. Forum for economic development
7. Consensus builder on public issues
A. Discuss, agree and act on issues
B. Education, transportation, public safety, health care, economic development
C. Cross governmental boundaries
D. Legislation, ordinance and referendum
8. Forum to allow for communication, coordination and planning within and across sectors
9. Leadership in diversity
10. Develop and provide programs and curricula for professional schools
11. Access to public officials
12. Coordination of training needed in the community
13. Disseminate information on successes
14. Ideas/resource on health care

The desired impact on labor-management relationships in the greater Kansas City area included:

1. Organized sectors are competitive
2. More attractive community for business and workers
3. Culture of problem solving through collaborative efforts
4. Increased understanding of the value of organized labor
5. Recognized and listed as one of the economic tools in the area
6. The Kansas City region recognized as a leader in labor-management relations
7. More vibrant regional economy

Participants then individually made lists of the issues that need to be addressed in order to execute the vision. The next session will discuss and prioritize these issues.

The next session will be 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14 at Blackwell Sanders, 4801 Main, Suite 1000, Kansas City, Mo.

Health Care Changes Needed

The "perfect storm" appears to have arrived for substantial changes in the U.S. health care system, as all of the key players agree the current system is unsustainable: patients, business, health insurers, physicians and other providers, unions and politicians. The billion-dollar questions are what changes, how and when.

Until those questions are answered on a national basis, there are steps to improve the situation that can be taken now and will make reform, in whatever shape, more likely to succeed. In the Kansas City area, initiatives are being taken to make as much progress as possible, including:

•A grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is building upon previous work with physicians and patients by the Kansas City Quality Improvement Consortium to educate patients and physicians on the "best practice" treatment for the most prevelant chronic diseases. Additional grants and in-kind assistance from the foundation are expanding that project as well.

•The "Healthier You" program from LMC member Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City and similar programs from other insurers.

•Business, labor and provider coalitions in the metro area are searching for ways to cover more of the now uninsured.

Whatever shape reform takes, all agree that lifestyle changes are a primary ingredient to slowing down the costs of health care, not only the directo costs but the indirect costs of lost productivity, absenteeism and other costs related to disease and illness.

Current projections are that most of the Americans born this century will become obese and diabetic. While the U.S. lifespan is increasing, it remains well below that of nearly all other industrialized nations even though expenditures for health care are far greater than any of those nations. Dietary changes, reduced exercise (the state of Texas even eliminated recess in public schools) and smoking generate most of the current--and especially future--health care costs.

A recent summit sponsored by Blue Cross found unanimity among speakers, including former Truman Medical Centers executive director James Mongan (now running the public hospital in Boston and a designer of the Massachusetts health care reform), health insurance brokers, physicians and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius: behavioral changes among patients, physicians, government and health care insurers must focus on healthier lifestyles and prevention. While there are many elements, addressing these three would have the biggest impact: tobacco use, exercise level and nutrition.

Blue Cross has issued a report card on the Kansas City area's health care status, which will be reviewed in two years to determine if progress is being made. Details are available at www.bcbskc.com.

More information is available from many sources, including www.wellsteps.com. The LMC has identified health care as a top priority in its strategic planning process. Changing our behaviors, at least some of them, can have a significant impact not just on health care costs but on our quality of life.