The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Construction Committee Meets Nov. 13

The LMC Construction Industry Committee will meet at 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost, Kansas City, Mo.

LMC Backs Johnson County Triangle Tax

The Labor-Management Council Board of Directors has endorsed the Johnson County "Trangle" sales tax increase to generate $15 million per year to boost engineering, animal health and cancer research at higher education institutions in the county.  Question 2 is on the Nov. 4 ballot.

"We believe that this initiative will generate considerable economic development, as well as enhancements to people's lives in health and technology," said LMC Executive Director Bob Jacobi.  "While no one really wants higher taxes, this is an investment that can have a significant return for the people of Johnson County."

Jacobi noted as well that the LMC opposes Question 1 on the Johnson County Nov. 4 ballot.  "We believe that, particularly within a large metropolitan area, the current system for appointing judges is far superior to judicial elections.  "The current system is designed to produce qualified, independent judges who will rule according to the law and to provide checks and balances.  The overwhelming evidence is that the system produces such judges."

Update: Fr. Frank Murphy, S.J.

When we first saw the email with a title of "Fr. Frank Murphy," we feared the worst.  But the news was very good.

Fr. Murphy is the retired Professor of Industrial Relations at Rockhurst who co-founded the Labor-Management Council.  A highly respected educator and arbitrator, he also was instrumental in developing the Mid-Level Leadership Program and served as a key advisor to the LMC's Board from the beginning until he fell ill after an LMC Board meeting five years ago. (No, the meetings aren't that bad!)  A few longstanding and developing conditions required treatment, and Fr. Murphy moved to the Society of Jesus (Jesuit) retirement facility in St. Louis.

The email came from a former student of his who wanted to talk with Fr. Murphy.  We provided the contact info and the former student was reporting on the subsequent conversation with him.  Fr. Murphy reported that he was doing well though he was slowing down (certainly he deserves to!).  As always, Fr. Murphy was gracious and interested in his former students.

Without Fr. Murphy's wise counsel and leadershp, the LMC would likely not  have been formed and the many achievements would not have happened.  If you are interested in contacting him, please let us know.

Small Wins Can Make Big Difference

Mid-Level Leadership participants learned Wednesday about the "power of the minute."

Among the key points in the presentation by James Daley, dean of the Rockhurst University Helzberg School of Management on "Identify Your Leadership Style and the Style of Others" was that just a few minutes per day can make a major dent in a project over time.  He noted that 15 minutes per day, for a five-day week, adds up to 65 hours over a year.

Participants also learned the value of identifying learning and leadership styles, and took their own mini-Myers-Briggs tests. 

Construction Committee Suggests JC Triangle Tax Support

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost

Attending:  Rosana Biondo, Troy Carlson, Lyle Farrand, Ken Keltner, Garry Kemp, Dave Kendrick, Payne Mendenhall, Bill Miller, Herb Millard, Ron Shaffer, Jon Thompson, Colleen White, Craig Wright, Doug York, Bob Jacobi.

•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.

•Committee members are urged to contact the Kansas City, Mo., Council in support of the NNSA/Honeywell project.  An ordinance now before the Council would approve the economic incentives needed.  The project is now held up in Plans and Zoning due to concerns of nuclear weapons opponents and the needed environmental remediation at the current facility.  The next P&Z meeting is Oct. 15, 1:30 p.m. at City Hall.  Terry Riley is committee chair.

•M/S/C to recommend that the LMC endorse the Johnson County Technology Triangle tax proposal on the November ballot.

•Proposed changes in Missouri’s lien law will be researched and discussed.  Bill Miller will bring a report with more details to the November meeting.

•The Kansas City Construction Partners are moving forward.  Meetings with the Roundtable advisory group have been held, and implementation details are being determined.

•The Construction Summit Planning Committee is being formed.  Committee members include Rosie Biondo, Payne Mendenhall and Herb Millard.  Contact Bob Jacobi if you want to serve on the committee.  The Carpenters and Iron Workers will also be asked to serve.  The time frame is now April/June for the industry and rank-and-file events.  Rosie Biondo will organize the first meeting, hopefully before the next CIC meeting.

•The next statewide construction labor-management meeting will be at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons.  All are invited to attend.

•The LMC Public Officials Reception will be Nov. 20.  Sponsorships are still available.

•Colleen White will participate in a teleconference seminar on prevailing wage law compliance with Spencer Fane on Oct. 31 at noon, and also invited Committee members to a Nov. 12 session by Power Group Benefits on dealing with a wage-and-hour DOL audit.

•The American Subcontractors Association is hosting an Expo on Nov. 12, 4-8 p.m. for general and subcontractors to have the opportunity to network.   A buffet will be available; booths are available for general contractors and the cost to attend is $50.  Contact Herb Millard for details.

•Garry Kemp has joined the Advisory Board of the Federal Reserve Bank’s 10th District.  He is seeking information from contractors on their current and projected trends in business, finance and workforce to share with the Advisory Board and regional president Tom Hoenig.  The next meeting is Oct. 22 and he requests input before that meeting. (816-836-8485, [email protected]).

•NICE is implementing its high school program at Van Horn, beginning with Power Lunches where industry leaders meet with students.  A.J. Byrd spoke earlier this week and Rosie Biondo speaks at the next one.  Speakers and sponsors are being sought.  Curriculum implementation begins in January.  Crayons to CAD is also being implemented in the Hickman Mills and Kansas City, Kansas districts, and curriculum for both programs are tentatively slated to be in the Kansas City, Mo., School District next year.  iBuild booths are now available to be reserved.  NICE is also running the Construction Challenge program in the Kansas City region for the Associated Equipment Manufacturers.  The contest will be Feb. 7 with the winners going to the national contest.

•The next meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13 at Mark One Electric Co.

•M/S/C to adjourn.

Mid-Level Begins New Class

The LMC's Mid-Level Leadership Program, in conjunction with Rockhurst University, kicked off its 208-2009 class Oct. 1 with an engaging presentation from Garry Kemp, LMC Secretary and Business Manager of the Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council.

Kemp pointed out that the workers he represents cannot be successful unless their contractor employers are successful.  Therfore labor-management cooperation, and leadership to spur much needed change in the industry, are crucial to the workers' future.

Kemp's presentation provided an ideal introdution to the Mid-Level program.  LMC Executive Director Bob Jacobi noted that leadership is only needed when change is needed, and that the program will focus on the skills and practice of those skills, needed to address 21st century issues in the workplace and community.

The program continues with Wednesday sesssions through Nov. 19 and resumes in January.

Construction Committee to Meet Oct. 9

The LMC Construction Industry Committee will meet at 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.

Also for those interesed in industry issues, the Minority Coalition annual banquet will be Oct. 6 at Argosy Casino.  It will feature economists, elected officials and leaders in diversifying the area construction industry.  Contact April at 842-7023 for more information.