The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

LMC Board Meets

Summary of Minutes LMC Board Meeting
June 27, 2007 • SMACNA-KC

Attending: Sang T. Duong (for Khensa Karim) , Lyle Farrand, Michael Lambert (for Louie Wright), Robbie Makinen (for Mike Sanders), Rory O’Connor, Bob Jacobi.

•Thanks to Khensa Karim and SMACNA for hosting. SMACNA and Local 2 are in negotiations so Khensa and Ken Alexander are unable to attend.

•The proposed Cash Flow Report will be added to future Financial Reports.

•The 07-08 budget proposal was discussed; given there are no significant changes proposed and the number attending the meeting, final approval will be postponed until the next Board meeting.

•September may be the optimal time frame for the Strategic Planning sessions.

•In addition to Issues Committee report provided, the LMC supported continuation of the Institute for Labor Studies program and urged Chancellor Guy Bailey to retain UMKC’s involvement, which he agreed to to for now.

•In addition to the Issues Committee report provided, Board members are encouraged to follow and weigh in on the upcoming renewal of the Kansas City, Mo., sales tax for capital improvements.

•All those present who attended the Reception for the New Kansas City, Mo., Council agreed the event was successful. The final cost will about $800 higher than estimated in the board background information provided before the meeting.

•Additions to the Golf Tournament participation list include Walton Construction (refreshment cart sponsor), Blue Cross Blue Shield (eagle sponsor) and Teamsters Local 541 (hole sponsor) for a total of 34 players and $10,700 in revenue to date.

•The next Public Officials Reception should take place after the LMC has completed it Strategic Planning process.

•The next Board meeting will be 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 22, location TBA. The Oct. 24 and Dec. 26 dates are both problematic, so alternate dates will be chosen pending results of the Strategic Planning process.

•M/S/C/ to adjourn at 1 p.m.

LMC Supports Continuation of ILS

The LMC applauds UMKC Chancellor Guy Bailey for reversing the decision to pull out of--effectively eliminating--the Institute for Labor Studies and allowing the ILS advisorty board to come back with a plan for its longterm future.

The ILS was formed in 1985 after Labor Beacon Communications--then owner of the Kansas City Labor Beacon newspaper--had begun offering labor education programs but saw the need for academic partners. The Beacon had been involved with the Labor School offered by Rockhurst University (then College) in the 1950s. After offering several programs, the Lsbor Beacon forged a partnership with Longview Community College and UMKC to offer a slate of educational courses and programs for union members. Walter Pearson, who had been executive director at SEIU Local 96, became the first director. The ILS initially was housed at the Labor Beacon offices, then moved to Longview and eventually to UMKC. Pearson later left to become education director for the Bakery, Confectionary and Tobacco Workers International Union and Judy Ancel became director. In 1997 the ILS became a part of UMKC's Economics Department.

During the past 22 years, the ILS has offered nuts-and-bolts courses helping build the knowledge and skills of union members and particuarly of up and coming leaders. Such education benefits management as well, as better informed union leaders are better to deal with just as informed and educated managers often are preferable for union leaders to work with.

The LMC wrote to Chancellor Bailey asking him to keep the program, and we are grateful that he did.

A thank you is also in order for KC Mayor Mark Funkhouser, who did not accept the free Honda offered him by a local dealership, as the LMC had requested.

Library Has Exhibit on "Way We Worked"

The Kansas City, Mo., Central Library is now exhibiting "The Way We Worked: A Visual Exploration of America's labor history from 1857-1987." The exhibit continues through Aug. 19.

Created by the National Archives and the Smithsonian Institution, the exhibit uses more than 70 captioned photos to show the history of U.S. workplaces. It is organized into five themes: Where We Worked, How We Worked, What We Wore to Work, Dangerous and Unhealthy Work, and Conflict at Work. Admission to the library at 14 W. 10th Street is free.

In addition, two speakers will discuss the exhibit. Bruce Bustard, the exhibit curator with the National Archives, will explain why he chose the images and how they offer insight into the U.S. workplace at 7 p.m., Friday, June 29. On Thursday, July 12, also at 7 p.m., archivist Tim Rives will provide a local perspective on the exhibit. Both events are free but reservations are recommended; call (816) 701-3407 or go to www.kclibrary.org. Wine and cheese receptions precede both programs at 6 p.m.

Photos From KCMO Reception Up Now

Photos from the june 14 reception for the new Kansas City, Mo., City Council can be found to the left under "Photo Albums" "KCMO Reception." Please let us know of any questions.

LMC Welcomes New KCMO Council

With nine new members on the Kansas City, Mo., City Council and a new mayor elected March 27, the LMC Board hosted a reception for the entire council June 14 at the Downtown Marriott/Muehlbach. Most of the council members attended, as well as several state representatives and Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders. The list of those attending or who had RSVP'd to attend can be found at Download attndlst-final.cwk (WP).pdf (63.0K).

Co-sponsors were:
Mayor Level

Mechanical Contractors Association

City Manager Level

Builders’ Association
Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades
J.E. Dunn Construction Co.
Heavy Constructors Association
UMB Asset Management

Department Level

Bricklayers Local 15
Kansas City Insulation Contractors
Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Missouri AFL-CIO
Pipefitters Local 533
Plasterers’ & Cement Masons Local 518
Plumbers Local 8
Sheet Metal Workers Local 2
Sprinkler Fitters Local 314
Teamsters Local 541
Turner Construction Co.
Walton Construction Co.

Supporter Level

Argosy Casino
SMACNA-KC

A photo album will be up soon.

Photos From KCMO Reception Up Soon

Check the blog early next week (June 18) for photos from the successful LMC reception for members of the new Kansas City, Mo., City Council June 14 at the Downtown Marriott/Muehlbach. More than 80 LMC members and friends came to greet the eight Council members who were able to attend (Russ Johnson, Melba Curls, Jan Marcason, Beth Gottstein, Terry Riley, Cindy Circo, John Sharp and Cathy Jolly) as well as several state representatives and Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders.

Construction Committee Meeting Minutes

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, June 14, 2007, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost
Attending: Rosie Biondo, Troy Carlson, Jim Delaney, Garald Eagan, Frank Jackson, Garry Kemp, Dave Kendrick, Alise Martiny, Payne Mendenhall, Herb Millard, Steve Mullen, Lonnie Scott, Kevin Sexton, Ron Shaffer, Jon Thompson, Colleen White, Craig Wright, Bob Jacobi
•Information sessions on the new KCMO Workforce Ordinance will be held on Friday, June 22 at the Marriott Muehlbach, Colonial Room. A session for contractors will be held from 7:30-9 a.m. and one for unions and apprenticeship programs will follow immediately at 9 a.m. Speakers include Bridgette Williams, Steve Miller, Philip Yelder and Ray Malone. Alise Martiny will distribute more details to the committee members. The sessions are open to all associations, contractors and crafts and are sponsored by the Builders’ Association and the Heavy Constructors Association. The ordinance takes affect July 1. Also, Alise Martiny is now the Workforce Development Coordinator at the Builders’ Association.
•IBEW-NECA Town Hall Meetings continue tonight with more sessions into July. A presentation on the preliminary fndings will take place at the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference. Mark Breslin will come in to report the findings to the rank-and-file on Nov. 17
•The Kansas City Construction Partnership pilot project at J.E. Dunn headquarters has completed its working documents which are being incorporated into bid specs. Construction begins this month. Metrics for measuring the impact are being developed.
•The committee recommended that the LMC take no position on the gaming ballot issue in Wyandotte County June 26, and that it support for removal of Missouri gaming loss limits.
•M/S/C to ask that Gov. Blunt appoint supporters of sprinkler requirements to the committee formed by the legislature to examine statewide sprinkler standards for long-term care facilities.
•Rep. Graves has cosponsored the bill to repeal the 3% withholding requirement.
•Particpation is urged in these events: LMC Reception for New KCMO Council today at 5 p.m.; SkillsUSA-VICA Convention June 26-28, which includes an expanded Building Trades booth; the U.S. DOL Workforce Conference July 16-17 which gives KC crafts an opportunity to show their training programs to the 5,500 participants at Bartle; and golf tournaments for the LMC, NICE and the Building Trades (beneficiaries the Children’s Spot and Dollars Against Diabetes).
•The organized industry is a top contributor to the KCKs economic development foundation.
•The St. Louis Labor Council held a 3-day strategic planning retreat. Garry Kemp is recommending a similar approach in Kansas City.
•The next meeting will be 8 a.m. Thursday, July 12 at Mark One Electric Co., 909 Troost.
•M/S/C to adjourn.

Hot Cars

WIth the recent controversy over new KCMO Mayor Mark Funkhouser and his choice of car, along with new data giving high marks to the General Motors and Ford plants in the KC area and the announcement that he would accept a free Honda hybrid from a local dealership, the LMC Board decided to suggest a win-win alternative for the Mayor that hopefully would move him past the controversy. The following letter was sent Monday, June 11

Dear Mayor Funkhouser,

We trust you are enjoying your first few weeks as Kansas City’s mayor. Your fresh, data-driven approach should benefit our city.
However, we were disappointed with your decision to accept the gift of a Honda to serve as your mayoral vehicle. As you know, no Kansas City taxpayers are involved in the manufacture of the Honda. We believe there is a better choice given the following facts:
•Within a mile each of Kansas City city limits are two of the five most productive auto plants in the U.S. One produces the 2007 Car of the Year, another is owned by the manufacturer with the most top quality models in the recent J.D. Power survey.
•These two plants, the General Motors Fairfax plant and the Ford Claycomo plant, are often cited as examples of the city’s highly productive work force and contribute substantially to area charities, schools and to our tax base.
•The Claycomo plant produces popular, energy efficient hybrid SUVs well-suited for tall drivers.
•Both of the plants directly employ hundreds of Kansas City, Mo., residents and create employment for hundreds more,all in good-paying jobs with full benefits, thus playing a critical role in the city’s economy and generating millions in earnings and property taxes. And many of the combined 8,000+ workers at those plants who live in other municipalities shop and play in Kansas City, Mo.
Given such circumstances, we suggest that you ask the Lincoln-Mercury dealership from which the city is leasing the unused Lincoln to replace it with a hybrid Mariner SUV, made by Kansas City-area residents within spitting distance of the city limits. The city would save money, the city’s economy would benefit and the Mayor would show a good example of both civic pride and energy-efficiency, not to mention enjoying a well-made, functional ride.
With the option of driving a vehicle made by Kansas City residents, driving the Honda is like the mayor rooting for the Oakland Raiders. By visibly using a vehicle made by Kansas Citians, the mayor would show faith in our own workforce, in the citizens who work hard and pay the taxes that support city government.
We urge you to reconsider the kind offer from the Honda dealership and instead demonstrate support for hundreds of Kansas City residents while being wise with taxpayer dollars and our environment at the same time.
Please let me know whenever we can be of assistance to you. Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Bob Jacobi
Executive Director

LMC Directory Updated

An updated directory of the LMC's membership and leadership can be found at Download membershiprosterbd.cwk (WP).pdf (93.9K).

US DOL Holds Anniversary Session

The U.S. Dept.of Labor's Employment and Training Administration is celebrating its 70th anniversary with the Workforce Innovations 2007, July 17-19, at Bartle Hall. The American Society for Training & Development is co-sponsoring. The event will provide contact opportunities with colleagues from the education, economic development, business and workforce communities and provide sessions covering proven strategies, successful models, and inspiring stories of innovation in preparing each and every American for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

The conference theme is "beyond borders" and will focus on how regional partners can work collaboratively to develop the talent of their workers, and that the workforce system become the catalyst for an educated and prepared workforce. It will explore ways in which key partners, including business, economic development, education and workforce systems, can collaborate and innovate to break down boundaries and create a competitive advantage.

Visit www.WorkforceInnovations.org for more information.