The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Construction Committee Discusses Childcare, Work Site Safety and Education

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending: Sam Alpert, Jose Aragon, Greg Davey, Brian Curtin, Ed Downey, Joey Flickner, Kevin Gard, Kevin Hendrickson, Brett Jennings, Mike Johnson, Gabe Jones, Dan Loftis, Ralph Oropeza, Tina Shonk-Little, Pam Nolte, Cameron Seip, Chris Stanton, Bill Tillman, Steve Townsend, Brian Wood, Stacey Zerr, Nate Zier, Bob Jacobi.

•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.  We welcome Dan Loftis to his first meeting.

•Session #33 of the Construction Summit:  Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance.

•Tina Shonk-Little presented an update and requested feedback on the efforts of Unions United Childcare to provide affordable, all-hours childcare for union construction families.  The committee provided feedback on projected participation levels, cost estimates, funding mechanisms and cost-sharing models, access for participating contractor management personnel, future needs versus present, potential as a recruitment and retention tool particularly for women, facilities locations and other issues.  The discussion will continue at future meetings and information on costs projections will be shared with the committee.

•NICE has its annual fundraising luncheon Nov. 12; details are attached..  A construction math session for teachers, generated by committee discussion, is set for Sept. 19 at the Laborers Training Center with at least 10 math teachers and instruction from Laborers, Plumbers and IBEW to help teachers understand better what students need to know to get into apprenticeship programs and become successful.  Upcoming Senior Day events are set for Oct. 4 at the Builders, Oct. 14 at Local 2, Oct. 18 at the Roofers.

•Missouri’s veto session will have little or no activity.  The ballots for the Nov. 5 election are set; Missouri ballot issues include a minimum wage hike plus paid family leave as well as sports gaming, reproductive rights and prosecutor/sheriff pensions.  Federal paid leave standards can be very complicated to address for contractors especially as workers move among contractors on federal projects.  Attached is more information on federal leave programs.

•President Biden recently issued an executive order on how apprenticeship requirements are to be implemented in federal construction contracting, with an aim to closing loopholes.  This has been a problem especially on recent large solar projects.  Apprenticeship standards are also often an issue with attempts to get local governments to adopt Responsible Bidder Ordinances.  Providing a USDOL registered program is possible for smaller contractors and ensures a quality of training.  More details can be found at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/09/06/executive-order-on-investing-in-america-and-investing-in-american-workers/.

•OSHA has proposed a heat standard and seeks comments.  Details on the standard and how to comment are attached.  Comments are due by Dec. 30.  Heat has been an increasing problem particularly for construction workers as the climate warms.  Workers should begin preparing to work in high heat in advance with hydration and adaptation.

•Brian Wood from OSHA noted that September is Suicide Prevention Month and this week Construction Suicide Prevention week.  Construction workers are far more likely to commit suicide than workers in other industries, often because of addiction to pain medication for the impact of construction work on their bodies and because in the construction workplace culture they fear stigma and embarrassment for seeking help.  Having mental health services at the same site as physical health care, such as Spira Care centers, helps as does the availability of tele-health.  The MCA and Locals 533 and 8 are working together to educate and help workers feel more comfortable about seeking help.   More emphasis and training on getting construction workers to act as professionals and treat each other with respect on the job is also needed to help prevent mental health issues and suicide.  Workers need examples and modeling on the best behavior for job sites.  This is also a retention issue especially for women and workers of color.

•The LMC Mid-Level Leadership Program continues to accept applications with the first session Sept. 25.  The LMC/BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception also seeks RSVPs and sponsors for the Oct. 10 event at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.  More than 50 rsvps have already come in from winners of the August primaries. 

•Upcoming events:

*LMC Sporting Clay Shoot Saddle & Sirloin, Sept. 12

*NAWIC Golf Tournament Sept. 19, Adams Pointe Golf Course

*Working Families Friend Fall Cook-Off, Sept. 21

*Mid-Level Leadership Program First Session, Sept. 25, Rockhurst University

*DBIA-MAR Shrimp Boil, Sept. 25, 4-6 p.m., Lenexa Public Market

*Missouri & Kansas Laborers Western Charity Golf Tournament, Sept. 27, Drumm Farm

*Unions United Kickball Tournament, Oct. 5, 8 a.m., City Park KCK

*LMC/BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception, Oct. 10, 5:30-7 p.m., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

*Dozer Day by NUCA-KC, Oct. 11, Truman Sports Complex

*Fishing for Freedom, Oct. 11-13, Truman Lake

*KCPS Bond Issue Open House, Oct. 29, 5:30-7 p.m., Location TBA

*Election Day Nov. 5

*CREW Kansas City Quarterly Luncheon, Nov. 5

*NICE Annual Luncheon, Nov. 12, Bartle Hall

*Builders’ Holiday Party Dec. 12

*NICE iBuild Showcase April 8, 2025

*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 6-9, 2025, Camden on the Lake

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, October. 10  at Mark One Electric Co. 

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

Great weather and food greeted participants in the LMC’s 5th Sporting Clay Shoot at Saddle & Sirloin Club Sept. 12. Photos are available at left under 2024 Sporting Clay Shoot. We thank the following sponsors and participants who made the event possible, furthering our mission to enhance collaboration by solidifying trust and communication between labor and management in the community:

Ammo Sponsor

Committee to Elect Melissa Patterson Hazley

Luncheon Sponsor

Delta Innovative Services

Perfect Aim Sponsors

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City
Capital Electric Construction
Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663
JE Dunn Construction Co.

Teams

Blake & Uhlig
IBEW Local 124
MMC Contractors

Station Sponsors

Bricklayers Local 15

The LMC remembers those who died Sept. 11, 2001 and those who suffered illness and death from the cleanup after the attack. We particularly remember Julie Geis, who won the women's longest drive at the LMC's first golf tournament just four years before.

Tomorrow the Construction Industry Committee meets at 8 a.m., Mark One Electric Co., Inc. We look forward to hearing about the planned City of Independence bond issue for next spring.

Also tomorrow is the LMC's 5th Sporting Clay Shoot at Saddle & Sirloin. Registration and lunch beign at 11 a.m.

The LMC wishes all a great Labor Day Weekend as we celebrate workers and their efforts to design, make, distribute, sell and service the products and services we depend upon and enjoy. We appreciate the sacrifices made by workers past and present to improve working conditions and the efforts made by managers to engage in collective bargaining for mutual gains.

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets on Thursday, Sept. 12, 8 a.m., at Mark One Electric Co. The City of Independence will present on its planned bond issue. The meeting will end in plenty of time to get to the LMC Sporting Clay Shoot later that day.

The LMC mourns the passing of Kansas State Rep. Marvin Robinson. Rep. Robinson's leadership in the community will be missed.

The LMC congratulates Mike Newbold on his retirement from Arnold Newbold Sollars Hollins. He has represented unions and benefit funds for more than 40 years and has been a great supporter of the LMC and its mission. A photo from his retirement reception can be found at left under Newbold Retirement.

In addition to the stories below, check photos from recent events including 2024 MALMC, 2024 Golf Tournament and 2024 LEPCI.

Upcoming LMC events include the Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 12, Mid-Level Leadership Program first session Sept. 25 and the LMC/BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception Oct. 10. Please contact [email protected] for more details on how you can participate in any of these events.

The 38th Mid-America Labor/Management Conference gathered more than 130 labor, management and government leaders from Missouri, Kansas and other states to enhance their skills and build stronger relationships July 7-10, 2024 at Camden on the Lake. Photos can be found in the photo album MALMC 2024 at left.

Launching the conference’s content, Leroy Skinner of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service explained the many ways the agency can help labor and management. FMCS has been a strong supporter of the conference since its founding.

Keynote speaker Rob Marriott highlighted the ways labor and management can work better together especially in workforce development. A retired executive from US Engineering and former Sheet Metal Workers member, Marriott pointed out that when contractors and unions invest in workers, the payoff is significant for everyone. He praised the increased emphasis on safety in the unionized construction industry in recent years as well as a new appreciation for the importance of mental health.

MALMC recognized Jay Lind, Sheet Metal Workers Local 2, for his years of outstanding service to the conference. Key support from Jay and Local 2 was critical to the conference’s survival when the state of Missouri was no longer able to provide logistical support. Jay retired in July from Local 2 and from the MALMC planning committee.

The conference also hosted a unique, first-time event: a joint presentation from Chamber of Commerce leaders from the St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield regions. Each of the Chamber presidents highlighted key economic projects and challenges:

•Jason Hall from Greater St. Louis, Inc., noted the increased success in competing for and attracting significant economic development since several groups merged into one and developed a unified agenda. The Boeing plant expansion, planned rebuild of Lambert airport and a 27% decrease in crime are among the accomplishments. Challenges include increased vacancies in Downtown and the need for further improvements in public safety.

•Joe Reardon from the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce noted a sports theme: the construction of the new stadium for women’s soccer, the likelihood of new and/or renovated football and baseball stadiums and the 2026 World Cup among other projects such as a multibillion dollar battery plant are driving growth, while challenges include crime and a resolution to the football and baseball stadiums after voters rejected a sales tax extension.

•Matt Morrow from the Springfield Chamber of Commerce noted the area’s diverse economy and longtime manufacturing, education and tourism bases now with an added health care focus. Like the others he cited workforce development as critical to continued growth and added that economic development in any of the three markets means good things for all as well as the states of Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.

A vital element of workforce development is the increasing diversity of available workers. Bias and Inclusion: Understanding Actions and Behaviors featured an explanation of how natural bias can impact our decisions if we aren’t aware of our own biases and concrete steps that can be taken by individuals and organizations. Stephanie Haynes and Madeline Colas of FMCS provided the guide to addressing bias while Jim Hadel, International President of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers and Jose Gomez, business manager of Laborers Local 110 outlined specific programs they are implementing to better attract and retain more women and workers of color. Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship are also great tools as another session led by Megan Price, Missouri Works and Donna Brake, State of Missouri Department of Higher Education Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning, demonstrated with programs and support resources available for companies and unions.

A healthy workforce is essential and ways to keep workers and there families healthy were provided by Dr. Ayo Ajaiyeoba, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City; Dr. Ravi Johar, United Healthcare; Dr. Marco Vitiello, Cigna and Rick Dade, Solidaritus/America’s Agenda. Kim L’Heureux, IBEW Local 58 president, passionately addressed the opioid crisis and its impact at work. She provided ways to spot opioid abuse and cans of NARCAN to each participant for access in their workplace.

Jake Miller of Grissom Miller and Chris Johnson of Evergy detailed the most significant changes from the National Labor Relations Board and recent Supreme Court and other court decisions. Barry Grissom of Grissom Miller detailed changes in the new Kansas Workers Compensation law developed and passed with bi-partisan, labor and management support.

Economic and legal changes also impact how money is invested especially for retirement and how they are managed within Taft-Hartley funds. Brad Stephens, Stephens-Heffner Financial Partners and Mark Rogers, Scarborough Alliance, emphasized diversity and education in making decisions on retirement investments. Bill Miller, Novak Birks and Bank of Labor, and Stephanie Jones, Anders CPA+ Advisors, focused on fiduciary responsibility and accountability for Taft-Hartley trustees.

Accountability and precautions are also necessary dealing with members’ data, emphasized Tim New, Onsite Logic, and Marsha Woodward, Haynes Benefits. Each provided specific steps to take to protect organizations’ data and ensure compliance with legal and ethical requirements.

The session on Missouri’s prevailing wage law drew a full house. Perspectives from Patrick Watkins, Missouri Division of Labor Standards; Hon. Manny Abarca, Fair Contracting Alliance-Kansas City; Elmer Rhodes, Headcount in St. Louis and Janson Thomas, St. Louis County Division of Procurement, gave participants’ insight on application and enforcement of prevailing wage. Prevailing wage was also a topic at the Missouri Building and Construction Trades Council session as the meeting featured presentations from current and prospective members of the Missouri Senate including the Hon Doug Beck, also state Building Trades president; Stephen Webber, Missouri AFL-CIO; Joe Pereless and State Rep. Robert Sauls.

Missouri utilities impact every organization and household and are changing their mix of power sources and rate structures. Zach Monroe of Ameren explained the impact of legislative changes to rate structures and how they enabled the utility to accelerate construction projects needed to address aging facilities, increased need for transmission and more renewable sources. Kara Larson of Evergy discussed the significant increases in demand after years of stable usage the utility is now facing, thanks to growing new and planned data center and manufacturing facilities.

Transportation and broadband access are also key economic drivers. Missouri is beginning the expansion of lanes on I-70 with a process outlined by Eric Kopensky, Missouri Department of Transportation assistant district engineer. Projects are already starting with more stretches close to bid awards for the $2.6 billion project. Missouri is also investing in greatly expanded broadband access for areas with limited access or economic challenges, as reported by BJ Tankersly, Missouri Department of Economic Development broadband director. Kansas is continuing its heavy transportation investments based on extensive feedback from citizens though is concerned about future decreases in gas tax revenues, noted Tony Menke, Kansas Department of Transportation bureau chief of construction and materials.

Arbitration is a key tool in labor-management contracts and discussion on how to improve the process and results was led by Jake Miller , Grissom and Miller, and Amanda Vogelsberg, Henson Hutton Mudrick Gragson & Vogelsberg.

Participants also enjoyed an opening reception, golf tournament and a music-filled banquet.

The conference’s success can be attributed to its sponsors and the planning committee. Sponsors included Ameren, Evergy, Awards & T-Shirts, Bank of Labor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Cigna, Federal Mediation and Conciliations Service, Grissom & Miller, Humana, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City, Missouri AFL-CIO, Novak Birks, Onsite Logic, Scarborough Alliance, St. Louis Electrical Connection IBEW & NECA, Stephens-Heffner Financial Partners, SolidaritUS, ULLICO and United Healthcare.

Planning committee members were Bret Bonge, Evergy, and Bob Jacobi, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City, co-chairs; Jake Hummel, Missouri AFL-CIO, vice chair; Dawn Nicklas, Nicklas Lobby, secretary; Tom Johnson, Bank of Labor, treasurer; Pat “Duke” Dujakovich, Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO; Tim Green, IBEW Local 1/St. Louis Electrical Connection; Stephanie Haynes, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; Jay Lind, Sheet Metal Workers Local 2; Julie Menghini, Kansas Department of Labor; Jake Miller, Grissom & Miller; Ralph Oropeza, Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council; Leroy Skinner, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; Todd Smith, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; and Matt Troesser, Missouri AFL-CIO & SMART. After the conference, the committee added new members Todd Howerton, IBEW Local 124; Kevin King, Roofers International; Dominick Klobe, Onsite Logic; Alise Martiny, Operative Plasterers; & Cement Masons International Association; Bo Moreno, IBEW Local 124; Ben Schilling, IBEW Local 124. Additional members are welcome.

The 2025 conference returns to Camden on the Lake July 6-9.

Great Resources from the “Triad” Conference

I was pleased to represent the LMC at a unique event bringing together labor, management, government and academics from around the world last week. Referred to as the Triad, the conference in New York combined the biannual FMCS labor-management national conference, the annual Labor and Employment Relations Association annual meeting and the International Labor and Employment Relations Association meeting held every three years.  Photos from the conference can be found at left under Triad 2024.

The conference drew more than 1,400 attendees from about 35 states and more than 30 nations from every hemisphere. More than 100 sessions in 26 time slots were offered over four days; I was able to attend 24 sessions as well as extensive networking. OK, I did some NYC site seeing too when sessions weren’t being offered (the Mets-Astros game, great food and Central Park among others). The conference took place at the Hilton Midtown in Manhattan.

We reconnected with Darnice Marsh and Andrew Hasty from US DOL, who are leading the department’s labor-management cooperation program and spoke at the LMC Anniversary Celebration in 2023, as well as Scot Beckinbaugh, past acting FMCS director who has spoken to the Anniversary Celebration in the past and has family in the KC area. I also connected with both FMCS Kansas City-based commissioners, Stephanie Haynes and Jim Albano.

I also discussed the possibility of the LMC forming a chapter of the Labor & Employment Relations Association. There is no chapter in Missouri or Kansas now. It could provide an excellent opportunity to widen our participation and impact.

Below is a list of each session I attended. I can provide more details on any session that you are interested in including my notes and the presentations):

•U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su spoke to the conference.
•NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo and board members Laurie McFerran and Gwynn Wilcox
•Conflict resolution experts Bill Eddy and Peter Coleman
•AFT President Randi Weingarten and Flight Attendants President Sara Nelson
•An excellent session with the Major League Baseball Deputy Commissioner for Labor Relations Dan Halem who discussed labor-management relationships in MLB and how it has built relationships with the MLBPA. The session also included a tour of the MLB headquarters including the replay room where umpires and technical specialists review every game and make decisions on appealed plays.

Sessions besides plenaries that I attended (100 sessions offered: Anger in Conflict, High Road Bargaining-Alternative Models, Diversity Initiatives in the Building Trades, Worker and Employer Voice—Issues Confronting the Labor Market, Flipping the Script in High Conflict Situations, Today’s Wave of Union Busting and How it Highlights Weaknesses in the NLRA, Union Organizing and Collective Bargaining at the Crossroad: Renewal or Continued Decline?, Sustaining the Revival of the Labor Movement, Generations at Work, Union Power, Satisfaction and Composition, How Do Workers Know a Good Job When They Have One, WageTheft Inequality of Worker Pay, The Efficacy of Minimum Wage Regulations, Power Resource Theory in Contemporary Capitalism, Challenges in the Public Sector.