Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Sam Alpert, Rudy Chavez, Greg Davey, Brian Curtin, Ed Downey, Joey Flickner, Josh Franklin, Kevin Gard, Steve Gercone, Matt Johnson, Dave Kirkpatrick, Rocky Kloth, Gary Lesh, Chuck Martin, Brian McDaniel, DeRon McGee, Bo Moreno, Ralph Oropeza, Tina Shonk-Little, Pam Nolte, Pat Wiese, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #35 of the Construction Summit: Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance. Efforts are also underway to promote Responsible Bidder Ordinances for local governments and school districts.
•The Nov. 5 election features several issues on the Missouri ballot. Proposition A would raise the minimum wage and establish a paid time off requirement for many employers, and Amendment 5 would allow a gaming boat to be developed on the Osage River.
•The city of Kansas City, Mo., is considering Responsible Bidder language. An ordinance is now in legal review before introduction. The ordinance would be similar to Jackson County and a model for other cities, counties, school districts and other public entities as well.
A key element is workforce development, including requirement for USDOL-approved apprenticeship programs. This does not exclude nonunion or minority contractors. Support for training programs is essential to develop a quality construction workforce. Using the Missouri Works program to prepare applicants for apprenticeship is a great tool, as that program is attracting highly diverse participants and high completion rate.
Retention particularly for minority and women workers is also crucial. Behavior of current workers on the job site, access to resources such as transportation and child care and mentoring are among the efforts underway with more needed. Heartland Women in Trades is sponsoring an Equity Summit Nov. 21 to help address these issues. All are urged to attend and sponsorships are available. Unions United for Childcare has a meeting with Mayor Lucas scheduled regarding the use of a building at 39th & Woodland for a child care center.
A recent meeting with the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools proved disappointing as the district seeks more information even though the success of the apprenticeship programs is long standing. There is no current data available showing where apprentices came from in terms of high schools; an effort is needed to compile such information. While progress has been made by apprenticeship programs and efforts such as NICE to build better connections with schools, there remains structural bias against encouraging apprenticeship versus college by many high schools. Jackson County Legislator DeRon McGee, a former school board member, urged more work to build understanding of the opportunities offered by the trades.
•NICE has its annual fundraising luncheon Nov. 12; details are attached. Senior Days are set with several apprenticeship programs with more being developed.
•The LMC/BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception expect a strong crowd of more than 150 tonight even though the Royals have a home playoff game. All committee members are urged to attend at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts; 5:30-7 p.m.
•Upcoming events:
*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
*HWIT Equity Summit, Nov. 21, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at 6320 Manchester Ave KCMO, details and registration at heartlandwomenintrades.org.
*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, Nov. 14 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