The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Construction Committee Meets Feb. 12

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.

Lockton Joins LMC

The LMC is pleased to welcome Lockton Companies, LLC as a new associate member.  Lockton provides insurance brokerage and related services to many LMC members.  The contact information:

Paul Stucky

Lockton Companies LLC

444 W 47th Street Suite 900

Kansas City, MO 64112-1096

(816) 960-9018, fax 783-9018

pstucky@lockton.com

www.lockton.com

Kendrick New Building Trades Business Manager

The LMC congratulates David Kendrick and Garry Kemp on their new roles.

On Jan. 1 Kendrick succeeded Kemp as Business Manager for the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council.  He is also expected to replace Kemp as LMC Secretary.

Kemp, who has served the Building Trades and the LMC for more than a decade, is now the Building Trades Council Executive Vice President.  He will continue working on special projects and continue his roles such as the Advisory Board of the Kansas City Federal Reserve.  He was honored by the LMC with the Leadership in Labor-Management Cooperation Award in 2000.

Kendrick, a member of Sprinkler Fitters Local 314 and formerly with Century Fire Sprinkler, is currently a participant in the LMC's Mid-Level Leadership program.

Mid-Level Starts Spring Sessions

The LMC's Mid-Level Leadership Program begins the second half of its 2008-2009 class this Wednesday, Jan. 28 at Rockhurst University.  Dr. Darrel Ray, author and consultant, will be the instructor for this session.

Issues Agenda Proposed for '09

The LMC's Issues Committee has made the following recommendations to the Board for positions on 2009 legislative issues.  The committee, comprised of representatives from labor and management, developed the positions over a series of meetings.  Except for items that have been approved in past years, the LMC Board still must vote on these issues:

Federal Issues

•The LMC supports inclusion of the General Services Administration planned new office building in downtown Kansas City, Mo., in the federal economic stimulus package, and supports moving forward with the Honeywell plant relocation project.  The LMC will watch for other key projects in the metropolitan area to be supported for inclusion as they are identified.

The LMC also supports proposals to provide operating relief for safety net hospitals, Medicaid health care coverage for the newly unemployed, additional Medicaid coverage for the uninsured, and federal support of COBRA coverage for the unemployed in the stimulus package.

•The LMC supports movement towards comprehensive health care reform and will determine its position on specific proposals as they are brought forward.

•The LMC supports timely reauthorization of the federal transportation plan with funding adequate to rebuild our highway system and supports consideration of additional and alternative revenue sources, as a funding formula that is fair to Missouri and Kansas and funding of “green” projects.

•The LMC opposes proposed changes in the U.S. Small Business Administration rule that would severely limit the areas of federal contracting that include women as disadvantaged contractors.

•The LMC supports award of the new Air Force tanker contract to the Boeing Co.

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 tax credit for the Three Trails project and similar programs.  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.

•The LMC supportsr Gov. Nixon’s task for on the automotive industry in Missouri, and encourages the Task Force also consider the General Motors Fairfax plant in its plans as Missouri workers and businesses are involved with that plant as well.

•The LMC supports restoration of Medicaid funding (Missouri) to its level before the cuts of 2005.

•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 the “Missouri Civil Rights Initiative” that would ban affirmative action programs and is attempting to gather signatures to get on the ballot.  Opponents are urging Missourians to not sign.

Kansas

•The LMC supports reasonable and effective economic development incentives.

•The LMC supports funding for a 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.

Local

•The LMC urges that the Kansas City School District and Kansas City Federation of Teachers Local 691 reach a contract agreement as soon as possible.

•The LMC supports MBE/WBE and Workforce diversity ordinances that are standardized among area municipalities and counties, with the Kansas City, Mo., ordinances as a model.

•The LMC supports extending the Workforce diversity ordinance to city-related projects including the Port Authority, Planned Industrial Expansion Authority, Tax Increment Financing and others.

•The LMC should initiate discussions among key leaders for enhancing mass transit in the metro area, perhaps via public-private partnerships.

Issues to Watch

•Proposed federal bills that would limit or eliminate arbitration in employment disputes.

•Any changes in unemployment compensation reform should be fair to seasonal employers.  Otherwise the LMC is interested in looking at proposed changes to shore up the fund's solvency.

•The LMC is interested in but has no specific positions at this time on proposed legislation to address workers compensation.

•The LMC will study the proposal to include the cost of projects to increase energy production in the current rate base, particularly if alternative energy and efficiency projects are included.

•The LMC will study the proposed closing of the Municipal Corrections Institution and moving Kansas City, Mo., prisoners to Jackson County and the possibility of a regional jail.

•The LMC will look at ways to support the successful implementation of the Johnson County Research Triangle.

OSHA Training Deadline Here

Construction workers and supervisors with safety experience can get OSHA 500 and 7600 (disaster response) training Feb. 9-13.  Registrations are due today, Jan. 15.

The training typically costs $1,600 per person but this session is just $75, thanks to a grant obtained by the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council.  Sessions will be held at the Heat & Frost Insulators Local 27 building, 400 South Main in Independence.

Graduates of the course will be able to teach OSHA 10 and 30 hour training programs and be certified for disaster response work.  Many insurance carriers also offer discounts for contractors who have employees with this training.

For registration forms and more information contact Dave Kendrick, Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council, (816) 836-8485, dkkcbtrades@aol.com.

MIssouri Picks New Labor Director

Missouri Gov.-Elect (inaugurated today) has named Lawrence Rebmon as Director of the Dept. of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Rebman is an attorney and former member of Laborers Local 663.  He has served as an assistant Attorney General as well as worked for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers.  Current clients include Kansas City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 99.

The Dept. of Labor may begin taking a more prominent role as the state deals with unemployment compensation issues and the legislature addresses workforce issues.  Both Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields and House Speaker Ron Richard placed expansion of the Missouri Quality Jobs program as a top priority and Shields added an educated workforce among his top priorities. 

Press Conference Supporting Water, Sewer Funding Set for Friday

Kansas City Councilwoman Jan Marcason has organized a press conference in support of a bill sponsored by Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill to direct several billion dollars of economic stimulus funding towards water and sewer infrastructure projects, such as the major effort the city is about to embark upon.

The press conference will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9 at the Discovery Center, 47th & Troost.

Construction Commiittee Focuses on Economic Stimulus Efforts

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost

Attending: Ken Alexander, Rosana Biondo, Jim Delaney, Lyle Farrand, Don Greenwell, Garry Kemp, Dave Kendrick, Mike Kotubey, Bob Looman, Dave Lovetere, Payne Mendenhall, Herb Millard, Bill Miller,  Ron Shaffer, Paul Stucky, John Tompson, Colleen White, Tom Whittaker, Craig Wright, Bob Jacobi.

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

•Note Paul Stucky in attendance from Lockton.  Lockton just joined the LMC.

•Federal and state stimulus/economic development issues are on the table and will see some action soon.  The Construction Committee is particularly concerned with funding of key local projects  (such as Honeywell relocation and GSA building) from the federal package and key tax credits in place or proposed in Missouri.  The mechanism for funding from the federal program is unclear.  A list of identified projects developed by the Building Trades will be distributed.  KCMO plans to focus on the top 10 priority projects.  The LMC Issues Committee will meet before the LMC Board meeting Jan. 21; input from committee members is welcome on crafting the LMC’s positions and priorities for the 2009 legislative sessions.

•There is concern that when current large projects wind down later this year, there are few new projects firmed up.  A focus on regaining market share for smaller projects and continued organizing would help with the gap until the market improves.  Continuing to keep and recruit workers, particularly minorities, is crucial to be prepared for the turnaround though will be challenging.  Tools such as lower rates for residential and small projects should be utilized more.

•The most recent report for the KCMO Workforce Board on that ordinance and its impact will be made later today.

•The Construction Summit committee met with Tom Whitaker about highlighting the J.E. Dunn headquarters project as part of the summit, and making sure the workers on the project were aware of the special programs in place.  Dunn will move forward to generate that awareness.  Components of the summit would also include the opportunities presented by BIM, capabilities of union contractors on smaller jobs, the CURT study showing union construction is 16.8% less expensive and apprenticeship and journeyman training programs.  As the KCCP is awaiting further meetings before moving forward, the summit would highlight these efforts under the LMC and include KCCP if appropriate.  A summit committee meeting will be scheduled soon.

•The OSHA and disaster response training class has openings remaining.  The class, Feb. 9-13, is for more than just safety directors and is relevant for all craft workers, project managers and others with some safety training background.  Those who take the course can improve their employers’ insurance ratings as well as position them for work in disaster recovery efforts.

•The American Subcontractors Association annual dinner is March 3 at the Ritz Charles.  The ASA is working on a big name speaker for the event.

•NICE is working on the Construction Challenge Feb. 7 at Metropolitan Community Colleges’ Business & Technology Center.  There are 25 teams signed up, and room for 25 more.  Sponsors are being sought for the teams of 5-7 high school students to compete; the top team goes to the national event.  Volunteers are also needed for the event.

NICE is also planning iBuild and seeking booth sponsors.  The expansion of Crayons to CAD to nine school districts and more than 1,000 students means those students will all attend iBuild as well as other middle and high school students.  The May 5 event is at Bartle Hall.  NICE is also proceeding with the Van Horn High School program.

•The next meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 12 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.

•MSC to adjourn.

As a service to recent and new attendees, here is more information on those atending the Jan. 8 meeting:

Ken Alexander, Business Manager, Sheet Metal Workers Local 2 (past LMC Co-Chair)

Rosana Privitera-Biondo, President, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Jim Delaney, Vice President, Turner Construction Co. (LMC Co-Chair)

Lyle Farrand, Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local 541

Don Greenwell, President, Builders’ Association (LMC Treasurer)

Garry Kemp, Executive Vice Preasident, Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council (Outgoing LMC Secretary)

Dave Kendrick, Business Manager, Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council (Incoming LMC Secretary)

Mike Kotubey, President, Midwet Mechanical Contractors/Incoming President, Mechanical Contractors Association

Bob Looman, Executive Director, Mechanical Contractors Association

Dave Lovetere, DST Realty

Payne Mendenhall, Director, Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust (LECET)

Herb Millard, Executive Director, American Subcontractors Association and NICE

Bill Miller, American Subcontractors Association and President, Building Erection Services

Ron Shaffer, RLS Architects and Mayor, Prairie Village

Paul Stucky, Lockton Insurance

John Tompson, Business Representative, Painters and Allied Trades District Council 3

Colleen White, President, Strategic Workplace Solutions

Tom Whittaker, Senior Vice President, J.E. Dunn Construction Co. (past LMC Co-Chair)

Craig Wright, Executive Director, National Institute for Construction Excellence (NICE)

Bob Jacobi, Executive Director, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Health Care Forum Results Reported

The Health Care Forum hosted by the LMC and UAW-Ford Community Health Care Initiative has issued its report to the Obama Transition Team and Secretary of Health and Human Services Nominee Tom Dasche.  The report can be found <a href="http://labormanagementkc.typepad.com/rprt-HCFrm.pdf">Download rprt-HCFrm.pdf (63.8K)</a>

Nearly 30 people, including health care professionals, business and labor leaders and others, attended the Dec. 23 session at Rockhurst University.  A wide variety of problems, suggestions and solutions were aired, and nearly all agreed that the health care system should focus more on prevention and should improve its administrative efficiency.