The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC Construction Committee will meet at 8 a.m., Thursday, May 12 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.

Also a reminder of the iBuild Showcase on Thursday, April 28, 8 a.m. at Bartle Hall. Volunteers are still welcome.

The Missouri House passed HB 828, which would gut the state's prevailing wage law. The LMC has a long-standing position in favor of the state's current prevailing wage law and opposes HB 828. We are hopeful it will fail to gain traction in the Senate.
The LMC supports prevailing wage because independent studies have consistently demonstrated that the prevailing wage law enables public bodies in all parts of Missouri and other states to get the best value in construction. No evidence is available showing that a weak or nonexistent prevailing wage law will save taxpayers money. The assumption that avoiding or weakening prevailing wage would save money is one that confuses price with cost. The reasons that Missouri’s current prevailing wage statutes provide the best value for public, construction include:
•Prevailing wage statutes attract contractors who employ higher skill workers who are more efficient, provide higher quality work and a safer worksite;
•Prevailing wage statutes help maintain a high quality construction workforce that is available when state and local governments and private sector businesses need work done;
•Prevailing wage statues help local contractors remain competitive with fly-by-night out of town contractors who may submit lower bids but do not, in the end, provide lower costs;
•Qualified, adequately-paid local workers and successful local contractors improve the local and state government tax base. Lower wages translate into lower tax revenues and lower quality of life.
We thank KC area legislators who voted no: Ira Anders, Michael Brown, Pat Conway, Jason Holsman, Leonard Hughes, Brent Lasater, Gail McCann-Beatty, Tom McDonald, Kevin McManus, Chris Molendorp, Jean Peters-Baker, John Rizzo, Ryan Silvey, Jay Swearingen and Mike Talboy.

Congratulations to Colleen White, president of Strategic Workplace Solutions and active LMC member. Colleen was awarded the National Association of Women in Construction Kansas City chapter Crystal Vision award at its 19th annual celebration yesterday. Colleen will also receive the national NAWIC Crystal Vision Award, the second Kansas Citian to be so honored. Alise Martiny, LMC Mid-Level Leadership graduate and workforce development manager for the Builders' Association, also earned the national award in 2004.

LMC Board Focuses on Public Issues

Summary of Minutes • LMC Board of Directors Meeting • April 21, 2011

 Attending:  Sam Alpert, Tim Bell, James Daley, Scott Hoisington, Kevin Istas, Dave Lovetere, Louie Wright, Bob Jacobi

•Thanks to James Daley and Rockhurst University for hosting.

•M/S/C to approve Financial Report subject to audit.

•M/S/C to approve Issues Committee recommendations to endorse Missouri HB 613 on solar energy incentives and to examine all issues on the LMC’s current agenda for relevance.  The Board also requests that the Issues Committee examine the issue of the “paycheck protection” legislation (SB 202, HB 466) in Missouri, consider expanding the position on the earnings tax to include extension of the sunset provision, discuss the impact of the initiative petition process and potential changes to it, consider issues where the LMC can be the prime mover to get legislation developed, develop a plan for more extensive education of public officials on key issues and consider more aggressively providing information to the public.  Rockhurst has a fund that could help with a public program on a key issue.

•The Awards Dinner was successful.  In addition to the Argosy potential venues for next year could include the Hollywood Casino, Sporting KC stadium, Performing Arts Center; those venues could also be considered for the Public Officials Reception.

•The LMC Golf Tournament will be July 18 at Oakwood Country Club.

•The next meeting will be at 8 a.m., Thursday, July 21 at Rockhurst University, same room as this meeting.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 9:30 a.m.

Also, LMC Consultant and Rockhurst Helzberg School of Management Dean James Daley announced the revised MBA program, which features enhanced professional development, lower tuition and more convenient class schedules beginning in June.

Photos from the LMC's 32nd Anniversary and 12th Annual Awards Dinner are now available on the blog. Check to the left under 2011 Awards Dinner. Photos taken by Bill Wien, Builders' Association, and Mary Jacobi, Jackson County Circuit Court. Thanks to the photographers!

Construction Committee Looks to Busy Spring

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, April 14, 2011, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending: Terry Akins, Sam Alpert, Rosana Privitera-Biondo, Kerry Brandt, Jim Delaney, Sang Duong,  Don Greenwell, Scott Hoisington, Joe Hudson,  Steve Janasz, Dennis Joyce, Gabe Jones, Dave Kendrick, Mike Kotubey, Bill Livingston, Dan Osman, Barbara Schilling, Allison Sims, John Tompson, Doug York, Jimi Strickland, Bob Jacobi.

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

•Congratulations to Dan Osman for his election to the Hickman Mills School Board.

•Presentation from Jimi Strickland, Entercom, on a proposed radio and multimedia advertising campaign to strengthen the brand of union construction.

•The KCMO E-Tax Election was successful with the support of many committee members.  Now a push will be made to enact HB 26, to lengthen the sunset of the e-tax beyond five years.  However, efforts to limit the legislature’s ability to make changes in voter-passed referenda could prevent the ability to make this change without another public vote.

•There is concern that the Missouri House budget removes all funding for labor law enforcement personnel, which would affect prevailing wage, child labor and other enforcement.  The Senate is likely to put the funds back in but close attention will be paid to see that the funds are restored in the final budget.  Other Missouri bills have gone farther than in the past that would limit prevailing wage.

•Proposed EPA rules on MACT are having an impact on utilities, costs and construction plans.  The comment period for the proposed rules runs through October.

•Concerns were noted regarding construction practices of the Argosy and other casinos.

•Committee members noted that elected officials both new and veteran and key appointed officials such as EPA need continual education on industry issues.  The committee may pursue special efforts to educate incoming KCMO council members as well as meeting with the mayor-elect and other area local government executives.  A committee will be formed to develop an agenda for such meetings.  Sam Alpert, Jim Delaney, Rosie Biondo volunteered to serve on the committee.

•Upcoming events include the LMC awards dinner tonight.

•A panel on BIM is scheduled for May 3, 8 a.m. at the AIA offices.  More info to come.

•Former President Clinton will speak at CMU in Warrensburg May 6 at 6:30 p.m. and will make a major announcement.

•May 9-12 is the Women Construction Owners and Executives national meeting in KC.  A reception will be held May 9, 4 p.m.  at Mark One so that local leaders can meet with the attendees.  More details will follow.

•The Building Trades exhibit at the June 20-23 SkillsUSA conference will be inside.

•IBEW Local 124 Retiree Larry Shull is again organizing a fishing weekend for disabled veterans Oct. 8-9 and is seeking boats and donations.  The event serves 125 veterans with a fishing weekend.  More details to come.

•NICE’s iBuild is April 28 and 1600 students are expected, with more than 1100 participating in Crayons-to-CAD.  Volunteers and booth sponsors are needed.

•Upcoming events include:

  *LMC Awards Dinner April 14, 2011, Argosy Casino

  *Blessing of the Bikes April 16, 11 a.m., UAW Local 31

  *LMC Board of Directors Meeting, April 21, 8 a.m.

  *NAWIC Dinner April 21, 5:30 p.m., Black on Burlington (NKC)

  *iBuild Showcase, April 28, Bartle Hall

  *KCMO Fair Housing Summit, April 29, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

  *BIM Panel Discussion, 8 a.m., May 3 at AIA offices.

  *Workshop on retirement planning 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. May 5, 4400 Main St, hosted by One

     Ward Parkway Group/UBS Financial Services 

  *President Clinton announcement at Central Missouri University May 5, 6:30 p.m., Warrensburg.

  *KCMO Mayoral Inauguration Picnic, Starlight, 1-4 p.m. tickets required.

  *Pipefitters Local 533 100th Anniversary Events, May 6-7

  *WCOE/USDOE Small Business Expo May 9-12; reception May 9, 4 p.m., Mark One.

  *SMACNA Golf Tournament, May 10, Shoal Creek

  *May 13 Missouri Legislative session ends.

  *2nd Green Energy Conference, May 17, IBEW Local 124

  *KC Crew Luncheon on Biosciences and Development, May 17, 11:30 a.m., MHCC

  *Warrior Appreciation Day, May 21, Brass Rail

  *SkillsUSA Conference, June 20-23

  *Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 5-8, Lodge of the Four Seasons

  *LMC Golf Tournament, July 18, Oakwood Country Club

  *Building Trades Golf Tournament, Aug. 18, Eagles Landing Golf Club

  *KC Crew Golf Tournament, Aug. 30, Falcon Ridge

  *ASA Golf Tournament, Sept. 27, Loch Lloyd

•M/S/C to adjourn.

 

LMC Honors Delaney, Kemp

The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City recognized construction industry leaders Jim Delaney and Garry Kemp at its 32nd Anniversary Celebration and 12th Annual Awards Dinner April 14 at Argosy Casino.

More than 200 participants also elected several officers and board members for the LMC and recognized Terry Akins, business manager of IBEW Local 124, whose term as labor co-chair expires soon.

Founding sponsors of the event were the Builders’ Association and Power Partners.  Award sponsors included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Brotherhood Bank, CIGNA Healthcare, J.E. Dunn Construction Co., Pipefitters Local 533 and Truman Medical Centers.  Supporters included Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663, Michael D. Fitzgerald Attorney-at-Law and MMC Contractors.

Delaney, vice president and operations manager for Turner Construction Co. in Kansas City, received the Leadership in Labor-Management Cooperation Award.  He has served as LMC co-chair as well as president of the Builders’ Association.  “He has never been afraid to ask the tough questions that needed answers or to bring forward difficult issues that needed to be addressed” noted Dan Couch, a past LMC co-chair and previous honoree.  “He has worked to ensure that both labor and management had the opportunity to become involved early in key projects where both sides and the project’s developers would benefit from joint efforts,” he added.

Kemp, retired business manager of the Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council and a past LMC secretary, was honored with the Service to the Labor-Management Council award.  “His advocacy for the LMC and its mission, and his work on its implementation, have been vital to the LMC’s survival and successes,” Couch said. “His service to the organization has been consistent, passionate and even fun.”

The annual event experienced an increase in attendance and revenue this year, “a sign of an improving economy,” said Bob Jacobi, executive director.  “It is also testament to the value of our mission to enhance labor-management collaboration and trust,” he added.

As in the past, the celebration drew many elected officials.  Participants this year included Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders, LMC co-chair; Kansas City, Mo. Mayor-Elect Sly James; Kansas State Rep. Tom Burroughs; Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp; Jackson County legislators Theresa Garza-Ruiz and Crystal Williams; Kansas City Council members Melba Curls, Jan Marcason and Cindy Circo; Kansas City, Mo. School Board member Joseph Jackson; Johnson County Commissioner Jason Osterhaus and others.

The LMC re-elected Dave Kendrick, business manager for the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council, as secretary and Don Greenwell, president of the Builders’ Association, as treasurer.  Re-elected to the Executive Committee were Donna Birks, president, AFL-CIO Tri-County Labor Council and John Phillips, Husch Blackwell, and to the Board Chuck Tarpley, business manager, Plumbers Local 8.  Newly elected Board members were Marcos DeLeon, senior director of human resources at Truman Medical Centers, and Mike Kotubey, president of MMC Contractors.

 Thanks to LMC member the Kansas City Ballet, two attendees won tickets to the Ballet’s May performances.  Scott Hoisington, Turner Construction Co., and Joseph Keller, Brotherhood Bank, were the recipients.

 Photos of the event will soon be posted to the LMC blog, http://labormanagementkc.typepad.com.

 Upcoming programs announced at the dinner included the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 5-8 at the Lake of the Ozarks, the LMC’s annual golf tournament July 18 at Oakwood Country Club and the Mid-Level Leadership Program next class beginning in September.

 The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City is a nonprofit association based at Rockhurst University.  For more information contact Bob Jacobi, executive director, at (816) 501-4565 or [email protected].

 

The LMC thanks its members and friends who voted, urged others to vote, volunteered and contributed to the 77.5% renewal of the KCMO earnings tax. While the current law calls for another vote in five years, there are attempts (HB 26) to change the sunset to a more reasonable time frame especially given the overwhelming approval of both KC and St. Louis voters to continue the tax unless or until an alternative is in place.