The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

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.

Construction Summit Seeks Sponsors

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost
Attending:  Rosana Biondo, KC Borden, Jim Delaney, Sang Duong,  Kevin Istas, Steve Janasz,  Bob Looman, Payne Mendenhall, Vince Migliazzo, Herb Millard, Dennis O’Grady, Dan Osman, Lonnie Scott, Tom Whittaker, Craig Wright, Bob Jacobi,.
•Iintroductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.
•Due to the Missouri State Building Trades meeting, labor representation will be minimal today.
•The Construction Summit Planning Committee is moving forward and awaiting speaker confirmations for one of three January dates.  Sponsorships are being sought.
•The meeting with Wayne Cauthen was postponed.  The meeting, when rescheduled, will also include the city’s CIMO and procurement directors.
•The federal Davis-Bacon determination for area weatherization projects is not appealable and cannot be changed.
•The recessionary downturn is significantly reducing the number of apprentices and may make it impossible to achieve the minority/female goals set under the KCMO Workforce Ordinance.  Members of the community need to be educated about the recession’s impact soon.  Several crafts also noted a low applicant pool of minorities and women.
•The film depicting the development of KC’s downtown will show on KCPT tonight at 9 p.m.
•Key issues to be discussed by the LMC board at its Oct. 21 meeting include federal health care reform, the Jackson County COMBAT sales tax renewal, Independence School District bond issue and the Clay County law enforcement sales tax renewal.  Missouri’s 2nd Injury Fund problems are also a looming labor-management issue.  Input from committee members  is welcome.
•The  Minority and Women Coalition quarterly luncheon is set for Nov. 2, 11 a.m. at Argosy.
•The LMC Public Officials Reception is Nov. 19.  Sponsors are welcome.
•The American Subcontractors Association Contractor Expo is Nov. 19.
•Contact the LMC or sponsoring organizations for info on any of the above events.
•The next meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 12 at Mark One.
•Adjourn.

Construction Summit Scheduled for January

The LMC's third Construction Industry Summit is scheduled for January 2010.  The first two summits focused on how the industry could better serve its customers; the third summit, "Quality Counts," will demonstrate how contractors and craft unions have responded and the tools available for owners and developers to build quality projects affordably.

In conjunction with the summit, the National Institute for Construction Excellence will hold a luncheon honoring Sam Alpert, Building Owners and Managers Association, for his support in attracting and educating the construction industry's future workforce.

Contact the LMC for sponsorship information.

Also, the LMC's Construction Industry Committee will meet at 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 8 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost, to discuss the summit and other issues.

Construction Committee Discusses Weatherization, Health Care, Workforce

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

8 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost

Attending:  Rosana Biondo, KC Borden, Jim Delaney, Sang Duong, Lyle Farrand, Don Greenwell, Scott Hoisington, Kevin Istas, Steve Janasz, Garry Kemp,  Dave Kendrick, Dave Lovetere, Herb Millard, Dan Osman, Colleen White, Bob Jacobi,.

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

•The Construction Summit Planning Committee will meet next week.  The Summit is now scheduled for January, dependent upon speaker and location availability. Sam Alpert, BOMA, is available to be honored at the luncheon portion.

•Members of the committee will meet with KCMO City Manager Wayne Cauthen at 10 a.m. on Sept. 24, City Hall, regarding concerns raised last month on city purchasing practices.

•Davis-Bacon rates have been set for Missouri for federally-funded weatherization work, but the rates and craft categories are such that they may be appealed.

•An initiative petition to be circulated in Missouri would apparently ban preferred provider rates and networks.  A coalition is being formed to oppose the petition drive.

•KCMO economic development agencies met at KCPL and agreed to come under the city’s Workforce Ordinance for projects supported by the agencies.  Disputes over whether a project should be covered will be determined by the Workforce Board.

•Upcoming events include:

  •Teamsters Charity Golf Tournament Sept. 12

  •KC Crew Golf Tournament Sept. 21

  •Builders’ Association open house Sept. 22

  •Laborers’ Charity Golf Tournament Sept. 25

  •LMC Mid-Level Leadership Class begins Sept. 30; applications due Sept. 15

  •ASA Contractor Expo Nov. 19

  •LMC Public Officials Reception Nov. 19

  •Building Trades Confined Space Trainer program Feb. 1-5

•NICE is working with the Missouri Dept. of Education to expand the Crayons to CAD program.

•Several apprenticeship programs are applying for federal green training grants as well as LEED certification for management training.  The goal is to help retain workers in the industry through opportunities for weatherization and green-oriented work.  About 2,000 craftsmen and 500 managers would receive training under the $2-5 million grants.

•The next meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 8, 8 a.m. at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.  Some will be unable to attend due to the state building trades meeting.

•Adjourn.

Construction Committee Meets Sept. 10

The LMC Construction Industry Committee meets next at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.

Construction Committee Discusses New Summit Date, KCMO Purchasing

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

8 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost

Attending:  Terry Akins, Rosana Biondo, Jim Delaney, Sang Duong, Gerald Eagan, Don Greenwell, Bob Gregory, Steve Janasz, Garry Kemp,  Dave Kendrick, Jay Lucas, Herb Millard, Bill Miller, B/Z/ Parscale, Lonnie Scott, Paul Stucky, Colleen White, Craig Wright, Bob Jacobi,.

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

•The Construction Summit Planning Committee met this morning and changed the date from Oct. 23 to January, dependent upon speaker and location availability.

•The LMC will coordinate with contractor groups and the Building Trades to convey serious concern to the city of Kansas City, Mo., regarding trends in its Purchasing practices regarding construction contracts.  Recent contract awards have failed to be reviewed by anyone with construction expertise, have failed to follow the letter and intent of city ordinances and indicate a pattern of moving work to favored bidders through circumventing proper procedures.  The matter will also be reviewed by the LMC Issues Committee.

•Jackson County recently passed a revised prevailing wage ordinance.  Colleen White noted that the county is also reviewing purchasing policies and could be a venue for a model ordinance/language.

•President Obama recently ordered federal agencies to consider PLAs on large federal projects.

•The LMC has been meeting with the area congressional delegation on health care.  With the development of the issue and President Obama’s continued opposition to taxation of benefits, the LMC will look at evolving its position and prioritizing the most important elements of reform.

•NICE is planning Crayons to CAD for 2010 and developing its high school program at Van Horn.

•Several organizations have recently moved, including:

--Builders’ Association to 720 Oak, KCMO, 64106

--Bricklayers Local 15 to 632 W 39th Street, KCMO, 64111 (former Builders office)

--J.E. Dunn Construction Co. to 1001 Locust, KCMO, 64106

--Kiewit Power Constructors to 9401 Renner Road, Lenexa, KS 66219

--Mechanical Contractors Association to 10955 Lowell Ste 1050, OP KS 66201.

•Upcoming events include:

--Building Trades Golf Tournament Aug. 20

--ASA Golf Tournament Aug. 21 (sold out)

--Argosy Golf Tournament Aug. 24

--Dennis Moore health care forum Aug. 27

--Working Families Friend Picnic Sept. 3

--Teamsters Golf Tournament Sept. 12

--NICE Golf Tournament Sept. 14

--Missouri Legislative VETO Session Sept. 16

--LMC Board Sept. 16

--KC Crew Golf Tournament Sept. 22

--Builders’ Association Open House Sept. 22 4-7 p.m.

--Laborers’ Golf Tournament Sept. 25

--LMC Mid-Level Leadership Classes Begin Sept. 30 (application deadline Sept. 15)

--LMC Public Officials Reception Nov. 19

•The next meeting will be 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

•M/S/C to adjourn.

Construction Committee Meets Aug. 13

The LMC Construction Industry Committee resumes its regular meeting schedule at 8 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 13 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.  Preceding the meeting at 7:15 a.m. will be a session for the Construction Summit Planning Team and immediately following will be a board meeting for the National Institute for Construction Excellence.

Construction Committee Learns About KC Ballet Project, Raises Health Care Reform Concerns

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

8 a.m., Thursday, June 11, 2009, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost

Attending:  Terry Akins, Rosana Biondo, KC Borden, Jim Delaney, Gerald Eagan, Lyle Farrand, Soctt Hoisington, Kevin Istas, Pat Julo, Garry Kemp,  Bob Looman, Dave Lovetere, Alise Martiny, Payne Mendenhall, Vince Migliazzo, Herb Millard, Dennis O’Grady, Dan Osman, Paul Stucky, John Tompson, Colleen White, Tom Whittaker, Craig Wright, Bob Jacobi, Emily Briseno, Jeff Bentley, Nina Babich, Nancy LaPorte.

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

•Presentation from Jeff Bentley, Kansas City Ballet, on plans to renovate the former Union Station powerhouse building for its new studio and offices.  The project can start as soon as about $738,000 in additional funding/cost reduction is achieved.

•The Construction Summit III Planning Committee has set mid to late October at Argosy Casino for the next Summit.  Progress has been made on the agenda.  The committee will likely next meet in July.

•Missouri HB 390 passed and includes provisions related to the implementation of required OSHA 10 training for all persons on the job--including both crafts and office personnel.  Final rules are being developed by the Mo. Division of Labor Standards.  Questions as to enforcement and coverage are outstanding.  On July 25, Pipefitters Local 533 is holding an OSHA 10 certification program at either its hall or training center; all crafts are welcome to send participants, up to 200 total.

•The Missouri Division of Labor Standards has also issued an opinion that all projects with state TIF funds fall under prevailing wage requirements.  Whether that includes existing projects is not yet determined.

•Gary Eagan is interested in contacts with Sen. Pat Roberts to encourage him to cosponsor a tax credit bill for sprinkler retrofits.  Please contact him if you have a relationship with Sen. Roberts.

•Among the options on the table in the federal health care reform debate is taxation of employee health care benefits.  Such taxation would be detrimental to workers and to union contractors and all are urged to contact members of Congress as soon as possible to express opposition to this option.  The LMC Issues Committee will also consider the proposal.  IBEW and Lockton have both developed letters on this proposal.

•Construction on the Holcomb power plant is expected to begin in February; a PLA is being negotiated this summer.

•Upcoming events include:

*DAD’S Day Poker Rum, Car & Bike Show, IBEW Local 124, June 13

*OSHA 500 Training June 15-19,  Building Trades. The class is full but space can be available

   for anyone else interested.

*KC CREW session on Economic Development, June 16, 4:30 p.m. at Embassy Suites.

*Gina Cline send-off June 17, Builders’ Training Center.  Gina also seeks linkedin contacts to

   boost her job search in Washington, D.C. where she is moving.  She recently married.

*SkillsUSA at Bartle Hall June 23-25.

*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament June 24.

*Free seminar on Prevailing Wage Compliance led by Colleen White at Penn Valley, June 24.

*Rockhurst University Golf Tournament June 29 at Milburn Country Club.

*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 6-8 at Lodge of the Four Seasons.

*KCK Chamber Golf Tournament July 8 at Dub’s Dread July 8.

*For Our Soldiers Golf Tournament July 10; more information to come.

*LMC Golf Tournament July 20 at Oakwood Country Club.

*OSHA 10 Training for union craft workers at Pipefitters Local 533 July 25.

*NICE Golf Tournament Aug. 17 at Oakwood Country Club.

*Building Trades Golf Tournament Aug. 20 at Eagles’ Landing Golf Club.

*ASA Golf Tournament Aug. 21.

*Argosy Casino Golf Tournament July 24 at Staley Farms.

*KC CREW Golf Tournament Sept. 22 at the National.

•NICE had a successful iBuild Showcase May 5 with 1100 students attending.  The Crayons to CAD program had nearly 1400 participants.  NICE recently received $433,000 from the proceeds of a lawsuit settlement between the Building Owners & Managers Association and the city of Kansas City, Mo.

•The National Maintenance Agreement has been modified for two years for work on Fiord Motor Co. and Chrysler plants.  Provisions include payment of wages at a rate of 90%.  The impact on other agreements is unclear.

•There will be no July meeting of the committee.  The next meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 13 at Mark One Electric Co., In.

•M/S/C to adjourn.

Construction Committee Meets June 11

The LMC's Construction Industry Committee will meet next on Thursday, June 11, 8 a.m. at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.  A Construction Summit Planning Meeting will precede it at 7:15 a.m. and the National Institute for Construction Excellence will follow at 9:30 a.m.  The committee will not meet in July due to the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference falling on the group's regular meeting date.

Construction Committee Hears about Diabetes, Summit and More

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

8 a.m., Thursday, April 9, 2009, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost

Attending:  Rosana Biondo, KC Borden, Jim Delaney, Gerald Eagan, Lyle Farrand, Don Greenwell, Kevin Istas, Frank Jackson, Steve Janasz, Pat Julo, Garry Kemp,  Bob Looman, Dave Lovetere, Payne Mendenhall, Vince Migliazzo, Herb Millard, Bill Miller, Stacey Morgan, Dan Osman, Ron Shaffer, Paul Stucky, John Tompson, Colleen White, Tom Whittaker, Craig Wright, Bob Jacobi, Mark Stubbs.

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

•Moment of silence in memory of Bob Gillihan, former Teamsters Local 541 business manager, LMC board member and Building Trades president.

•Presentation from Mark Stubbs, American Diabetes Association.  He discussed the increasing number of diabetics, the financial impact on employers and workers, and programs the ADA has to fight the disease.  He invites participation from the construction industry.

•The Kansas City Crew luncheon May 19 will feature the J.E. Dunn headquarters project.  The project is on time and budget.

•The Construction Summit Committee is focusing on an agenda including Finance with possible presentations from Brotherhood Bank, from bond experts and the FDIC; Economic development prospects, with EDC-KC a possible presenter; Stimulus opportunities; and the Dunn project’s success with safety and productivity via labor-management cooperation.  September is a likely time frame.  The Planning Committee will also pursue meetings with developers such as for the planned Prairie Fire project and RED.  Recommendations for date, location and funding will also be developed.

•The Missouri and Kansas legislatures are ending sessions with mixed results but defeats for most major antidevelopment issues.  Committee members extended congratulations to new Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson for reaching a compromise allowing a new power plant to be built along with renewable energy initiatives.  In Missouri HJR 37 has been laid over in the Senate; HB 390 is addressing details in the OSHA-training requirement for state contractors beginning Aug. 28.  A Senate substitute for HB 390 passed the Senate yesterday.  Labor’s major federal initiatives this year will be the Employee Free Choice Act and health care reform.

•Colleen White discussed the conflict between state of Missouri payroll forms and the new federal WH-347 form; Missouri requires addresses and social security numbers while the new federal form does not include them, causing confusion and increased paperwork for contractors.  Efforts are underway to address the problem but her recommendations in the meantime are attached.

•Upcoming Events include:

•May 20 is the Mid-America Minority Business Development Council’s annual Business Opportunity Fair at Overland Park Convention Center. Keynote speaker is Tony Gonzalez.

•DAD’s Day Poker Run Car and Bike Show to raise funds to fight diabetes will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 13 at IBEW Local 124, 301 E 103rd Terrace.  The poker run begins at 9 a.m., the car show at 11 a.m.   Prizes will be awarded to top bikes and cars as well as door prizes.

•The OSHA 500 & 600 Training session has 10 of the 32 available spots left.  The training will take place June 15-19 at the Building Trades; cost is $75 including materials and lunches.

•SkillsUSA June 23-35 will include a large booth for the Building Trades and a national job fair.

•The Mid-America Labor/Management Conference will be July 6-8 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons.  Topics include Gov. Jay Nixon, EFCA and construction industry substance abuse testing among others.

•Golf tournaments include Working Families Friend June 24, the LMC July 20, the Building Trades Aug. 20, NICE and the ASA Aug. 21.

•NICE held a successful iBuild event with more than 1200 students May 5.  NICE also held a strategic planning retreat and received a large donation courtesy of BOMA from its verdict in a lawsuit against the city of Kansas City, Mo. over fire inspection fee increases.  There will be a KC Star article on the donation soon.

•Congratulations to Pat Julo, nominated without opposition to be the next business manager of Pipefitters Local 533.

•Lyle Farrand expressed thanks for his recognition with the Service to the Labor-Management Council Award at the LMC Awards Dinner April 16.

•Due to a conflict with the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, the July Construction Committee meeting will be canceled.  The next meetings are June 11 and Aug. 13.

•M/S/C to adjourn.