The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Congrats to LMC Board member Jeff Hayes, who is starting a new position as Campaign Lead at Communication Workers of America District 6. Jeff had been President of CWA Local 6360.

The US Department of Labor will host a webinar "Essential Workers-Essential Protections" May 26 and 27, 1-245 p.m. each day, for Kansas City-area employers and others. The webinar will include presentations from Wage & Hour, OSHA, Employee Benefits Security Administration, IRS, SBA and EEOC on provisions of recent stimulus, regulatory and other changes generated by COVID-19. Participation is free bur registration is required via Eventbrite. (Thanks to Colleen White, Strategic Workplace Solutions for alerting us to the event).

The LMC mourns the death of Keith Nelson, retired officer of International Association of Machinists Lodge 1650 and Northland community leader. Keith was active in the LMC and in many community projects, including his leadership in getting the Choteau fountain and sculptures recognizing Kansas City's beginning. Keith will be missed. The LMC sends condolences to his wife Dana and family.

The LMC Construction Industry Committee continues with its Construction Summit and regular meeting Thursday, May 13, 8 a.m. via Zoom. A presentation from John Cistaro, Cigna, will be on the agenda.

After COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 event, the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference will be held July 11-14 at Camden on the Lake. Started in 1985, the conference will resume as in in-person event. Registration and other information can be found at https://cvent.me/MQdARk .

LMC Board of Directors
Summary of Minutes
April 22, 2021 • 9:30 a.m.
Zoom Hosted by Greg Davey, Builders’ Association

Attending: Sam Alpert, Bret Bonge, Teri Casey, Greg Davey, Tim Dupin, Jeff Hayes, Gabe Jones, Jimmy Walker, Bob Jacobi

•Thanks to Greg Davey and the Builders’ Association for virtual hosting.

•M/S/C to approve the financial report.

•M/S/C to oppose legislation that discriminates against transgendered persons.

•M/S/C to oppose legislation that would prohibit employers from requiring workers to be vaccinated, except for religious and health exemptions.

Future issues the board will study and consider when bills/regulations are ready include classification of emergency dispatchers as first responders (national and state), wage theft and resources for workplace standards enforcement (local), and the impact of this winter on utility rates.

•Upcoming programs include the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 11-14, Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament July 26, 41st Anniversary Celebration Aug. 12, Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 16, Mid-Level Leadership Program first class Sept. 22 (tentative) and Public Officials Reception Oct. 14. Appropriate health protocols will be instituted for each event based on conditions at that time.

•M/S/C to nominate Alise Martiny as Secretary and Don Greenwell as Treasurer for the election Aug. 12, 2021. Additional nominations will be made at the July Board meeting.

•The next board meeting will be in Thursday, July 29, 9:30 a.m. at Fire Fighters Local 42. A virtual option will be offered as well.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 10:30 a.m.

USDOL/OSHA and FMCS are hiring:
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: Safety and Occupational Health Specialist (GS-0018); Multiple Locations (Omaha, St. Louis, Wichita, Overland Park)

This morning, the subject vacancy announcement was posted to USAJOBS. The announcement will close on May 1st. Please click the link below to access the announcement:
 

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/598962000

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is hiring a Trainee/Mediator:
Announcement Number: DE-11094071-21-MK
Position/Series/Grade: Mediator, GS-0241-5/7 (FPL 9)
Salary: $35,265 to $56,790 (Salary range is reflected of Rest of US (RUS) locality pay. However, locality pay to be determined by the duty station of the selected candidate) 
Open/Close Dates: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 to Monday, April 26, 2021
Link to Posting: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/599133700
As a Mediator (Trainee) at FMCS your primary purpose will be to assist the Chief International Affairs Officer in coordinating and communicating with foreign counterparts in conjunction with international programs and projects of varying lengths.

A memorial service for Mike Krasovec, longtime Sheet Metal Workers leader and spouse of longtime labor and political leader Mary Ellen Miller, will be held Saturday, May 1, 1 p.m. at Sheet Metal Workers Local 2, 2902 Blue Ridge Blvd.

The LMC mourns the passing of former Jackson County legislator and Kansas City Chief Fred Arbanas. Fred was a supporter of the LMC and the longest-serving Jackson County legislator.

On a personal note, my father served with Fred on the legislature and was the tie-breaking vote to elect him as legislative chair in 1975.

Jerry Helmick

Addition to the Minutes Construction Industry Committee Meeting April 8, 2021

 

The April 8 meeting of the Construction Industry Committee began with a moment of silence in memory of Jerry Helmick, an active committee member who died last week of cancer.

However, silence was rarely the situation when Jerry was alive, and the meeting generated stories about Jerry as soon as the moment of silence concluded.  

The past 20+ years Jerry served as an investigator for the City of Kansas City, Mo., Human Relations Department specializing in prevailing wage enforcement. Jerry not only knew the intricacies of Missouri prevailing wage law and the city’s enforcement rules, he could explain them clearly and forcefully.  His ability to communicate with workers on the site, contractors and craft unions was unparalleled.  Jerry was also a reliable volunteer for industry causes such as the National Institute for Construction Excellence’s iBuild Showcase, LMC events and anywhere he could be of service.

Jerry’s service to the city was a second career, after his retirement as a business agent with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 576 (now Local 2).  He represented workers in meatpacking plants and grocery stores throughout western Missouri and Kansas, and was well-known there foo for his advocacy and ability to work effectively with management to resolve disputes and improve the workplace.  Jerry also served as secretary-treasurer of the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO among other leadership posts and could be counted on to help on any picket line or other activity he was asked to.

The Construction Industry Committee was enriched by Jerry’s participation, not only because of his ability to help members better understand prevailing wage and city policies, but because of his unique sense of humor, candid and direct communication, compassion for everyone who needed it and his love of Rice Krispy Treats.

Jerry requested that no memorial services be held.  However, committee members agreed that soon we will gather to share stories and memories of a true friend of labor and of the industry who brought enlightenment, sometimes tough love, humor, unique insights, great stories  and always dedication to his role.  He will be greatly missed.

The LMC mourns the passing of the Rev. Gene Arthur, S.J., retired longtime professor at Rockhurst University. Fr. Arthur specialized in teaching about business ethics, an important aspect of the university's mission.

Construction Summit Moves Towards Action Phase

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, April 8, 2021, Via Zoom

Attending:  Sam Alpert, Rudy Chavez, Andy Collins, Angela Crawford, John Fennesy, Kevin Gard, Chris Heegn, Dustin Himes, Joe Hudson,  Don Hunt, Gabe Jones,  Kevin King, Greg Lever, Kevin O;Neill, Colleen White, Tom Wyrsch, Bob Jacobi.

•Thanks to Greg Davey and the Builders’ Association for Zoom hosting.

•Session #34 of the Construction Summit:

While more general contractor feedback would be helpful, the group decided to move to the next phase of the process and develop an educational program for public and private sector contracting decision-makers.  A strategic plan will be developed; Angela Crawford provided a list to help start the process.  A need for more involvement in business and community groups, when possible coordinating between contractors and crafts, was identified.  With bond issues passed Tuesday, other projects in the works and federal stimulus and infrastructure money, extensive public construction spending is expected.

•An ordinance coming before the KCMO Council for the Diode data center project that was presented at the CIC last year projects $100 billion in bonding, as  data centers require “refreshing” every three years.

•The need for more extensive trining on diversity and inclusion, particularly what language causes problems, was identified.  The committee will research training programs and engage contractors and crafts in developing a program.

•NICE will hold a virtual iBuild April 22, beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing through Friday at 7 p.m. though will remain on the NICE website.  It can be viewed at www.nice-kc.com and create an account under the on-line learning section.  There will be 25 exhibitors, and many interactive features and hope for several thousand student viewers.  NICE is also doing virtual programs at apprenticeship centers.

•The KCMO earnings tax was renewed April 6; there is a legislative effort to extend the sunset to at least 10 years.  The LMC supported a Yes vote.  School bonds were also approved in Grandview and Platte County, and city of Independence.

•The Mid-America Labor/Management Conference will be held as an in-person event with appropriate safety precautions July 11-14 at Camden on the Lake.

•Upcoming Events:

*Builders; Talk on Construction Careers, April 13, 10:30 a.m., online

*Give Seven Days April 13-25

*iBuild, April 22, 2021, virtual

*Workers Memorial Day at Builders’ Association via Zoom, April 28, 1 p.m.

*DBIA Hybrid Event in I-435 Loop Project, April 29, Zoom/Grand St Cafe, 7:30 a.m.

*OSHA Safety Stand-in May 3-7

*DBIA Golf Tournament, May 14, Shoal Creek

*Missouri legislature adjourns May 14

*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament, June 11, 7 a.m., Ironhorse Golf Club

*CWA/AT&T Charity Golf Tournament, June 12, Eagle’s Landing

*Builders’ Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament, June 28, Milburn Country Club

*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 11-14, 2021, Camden on the Lake

*Craig Whitaker LMC Golf Tournament, July26, Oakwood Country Club

*LMC 41st Anniversary Celebration and 21st Awards Dinner, Aug. 12, 2021, Argosy Casino

*DBIA Regional Conference, Aug. 18, Lenexa Hyatt Place

*Labor Car Show, Aug. 21, Providence Medical Center Amphitheater, Bonner Springs

*GKC Building Trades Take a Kid Fishing Day, Aug. 28

*CREW KC Golf Tournament, Aug. 30, Canyon Farms Golf Course

*GKC Building Trades Golf Tournament, Sept. 2

*LMC Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 16, Saddle & Sirloin

*LMC Public Officials Reception, Oct. 14, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

  For details on the above events, please contact the sponsoring group or the LMC

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, May 13, 2021, via Zoom.  This meeting will be the fifth  session of the Construction Summit as well as regular business.  Please rsvp to bob.jacobi@rockhurst.edu

•M/S/C to Adjourn at 9:45 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.

 

Congratulations to the City of Kansas City, Mo., and its supporters for the overwhelming retention vote for the city earnings tax. More than 77% of voters approved keeping the tax, which the LMC supported. This is the third strong renewal vote since state law began requiring the tax to be renewed by voters every five years.

The LMC also congratulates the candidates for school board and cities who ran in yesterday's election and looks forward to working with those who won. School and local government positions are vital to our community and more participation is always desired.

The Construction Industry Summit and Committee Meeting will be held Thursday, April 8, 8 a.m. via Zoom.

The LMC congratulates Robin Carnahan on her nomination as the next director of the General Services Administration. Robin spoke to one of the LMC's Anniversary Celebration/Awards Dinners while she was Missouri Secretary of State and has long been supportive of our mission. Her understanding of the Kansas City area and of Missouri will hopefully be an asset to our area's needs.