Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 9 2023, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Sam Alpert, Tristin Amezcua-Hogan, Brian Curtin, Jon Doughty, Ed Downey, Josh Franklin, Luke Moylan, Chuck Roseburrough, Chris Stanton, Stefan Townsend, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #25 of the Construction Summit: Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance.
Election results in Kansas school board and city elections were largely favorable to the work of the Summit. Labor-endorsed candidates won 41 of the 47 races in which positions were taken in Johnson and Wyandotte counties.
•A handout on increasing women participating n the construction trades was distributed. The handout was provided by the Heartland Women in Trades.
•Welcome to Brian Curtin, McCownGordon Construction Co., who is attending his first committee meeting;
•The transit tax renewal in Kansas City, Mo., passed overwhelmingly Tuesday. The Jackson County use tax proposal was defeated. Both issues were endorsed by the LMC.
•The recent contract settlement between the UAW and Ford and with General Motors indicates $1 billion in investments for the Ford Claycomo plant and just under $400 million in the GM Fairfax plant, securing a future for particularly the Fairfax plant and generating work for the trades.
•An ethics investigation of the Missouri Speaker of the House may complicate the 2024 legislative session even further. With numerous Senators running for higher office or facing primary challenges, passing controversial legislation may be difficult.
•The partnership announced between the city and the U.S. Department of Transportation has the potential for up to $15 billion of infrastructure investments, including a possible high speed transit line from KCI to Downtown. These investments, plus other recent announcements, mean extensive investment in the next several years in the metro area.
•NICE is printing additional Construction Career Handbooks for distribution. The handbook includes all trades with information on career and apprenticeship opportunities. It is also available on line at www.nice-kc.com.
NICE recently held a successful annual fundraiser with a program focused on the new KC Current soccer stadium and the role of women in construction.
•The Full Employment Council has many potential workers for the construction industry including those with past construction or mechanical experience, and funds to support their training and placement. Funds to support their apprenticeship, on the job training and internship are available. Stefan Townsend, FEC director of employer services, is seeking opportunities. He can be reached at 816-651-4157 and [email protected].
•One impact of the defeat of the Jackson County use tax is complicating and perhaps delaying a vote on a new Kauffman Stadium. A final site has not been chosen but extensive discussions are underway with Jackson County and KCMO as well as with Clay County. An April 2024 vote is targeted though a decision and agreements may not be in place in time. Either way the construction industry is prepared for a campaign on any public vote as well as to build the stadium and surrounding development.
•The KC Business Journal breakfast featuring Lance Claiborne is Dec. 6, 8 a.m., at the The Space by Dolce Bakery in Prairie Village.
•The Mid-America Labor/Management Conference plans several construction-related speakers including a Detroit IBEW leader who will talk on the opioid crisis and value of NARCAN at job sites, former US Engineering executive Rob Marriott and a possible return of Jim Hadel, Roofers International president. The conference is July 7-10 and the hotel is taking reservations.
•A first time joint conference with Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the Labor and Employment Relations Association will be held in New York June 26-30.
•Upcoming events:
*DBIA Awards Celebration, Nov. 17, 11 a.m., The Gallery
*Building Trades Holiday Party, Dec. 1, IBEW Local 124
*KC Business Journal breakfast-Lance Claiborne, speaker, 8 a.m. Dec. 6, The Space by Dolce Bakery
*Builders’ Holiday Party Dec. 6, Lydia’s
*DBIA Happy Hour Dec. 7, Milburn Country Club
*LMC Board meeting Jan. 17, 9:30 a.m.
*Working Families Friends Casino Night, Feb. 2, 6-10 p.m., 1222 W 12th St KCMO
*Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast-Pat McCown speaker, Feb. 13, 7:30 a.m., Kay Barnes Ballroom
*Builders’ Anniversary Event Feb. 15
*Midwest Construction Safety Conference March 19-22
*NICE iBuild Reception April 1, Bartle Hall
*NICE iBuild April 2, 2024, Bartle Hall
*Workers Memorial Day event April 26
*Builders Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament May 6
*FMCS/LERA National Conference, June 26-30, 2024, New York
*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 7-10, Camden on the Lake
*Builders’ Member Summer Party July 17
*Construction Innovation Expo Sept. 17
*Builders’ Holiday Party Dec. 12
•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
•M/S/C to adjourn at 9 a.m.
The mission of the Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City is to enhance collaboration by solidifying trust and communication between labor and management in the community.