The first day of the 25th Mid-America Labor/Management Conference has been marked by the largest participation in years and several themes:
•Irresponsible employers have much to gain by misclassifing workers, but states (particularly Missouri, Kansas and Iowa) are stepping up efforts to catch them. Former Missouri Gov. Roger Wilson, now CEO of work comp carrier Missouri Employers Mutual, included that theme among his remarks. The unemployment insurance fund will especially need revenues not now being properly paid as collectively states are building a $93 billion deficit with no-interest federal loans ending this year.
•"Green energy can provide jobs growth and work for many now jobless, especially in construction, as the U.S. begins adoping more of what the rest of the world has been doing.
•A rainy day in the Ozarks increases participation in conference sessions.