The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

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

Congratulations to Cheryl McConnell for being named permanent Dean of the Rockhurst University Helzberg School of Management. She is an LMC consultant.

Photos are available from the LMC's 34th Anniversary Celebration and 14th Awards Dinner on April 18, 2013, at Argosy Casino. Check the photo album 2013 Awards Dinner to the left. Thanks to Bill Wien, Builders' Association, and Mary Jacobi for the great photography.

LMC Honors Alpert, O'Bannon

The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City (LMC) presented its Leadership in Labor-Management Cooperation award to the Sam Alpert, executive director of the Construction Users Council, at its 14th annual Awards and 34th Anniversary Celebration April 18 at Argosy Casino.  The LMC also honored Gary O’Bannon, City of Kansas City, Mo. director of human resources, with its Service to the LMC Award. 

More than 200 leaders from labor, management and government attended the event, furthering the LMC’s mission to enhance collaboration and trust between labor and management.

Alpert was particularly recognized for his outstanding support of workforce development in the construction industry, understanding its vital role in economic development.  He is a board member of the National Institute for Construction Excellence and has brought many resources to that group’s efforts educating middle and high school students about career opportunities in construction.  Alpert also has been supportive of the Kansas City Construction Partners, a labor-management effort to ensure quality, safe and competitive construction services.  He serves on the LMC board of directors and has effectively brought the perspective of the development and construction user communities to the LMC. 

Alise Martiny, business manager of the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council and LMC secretary, cited Alpert as a mentor to her particularly in working to attract young people to all aspects of the construction industry. 

O’Bannon was cited for his support of the Mid-Level Leadership Program, of which he is a graduate, and leadership for the LMC.  He served as an LMC board member until recently and has taught sessions for the Mid-Level program as well as speaking at LMC events.  Kansas City, Mo., Councilman John Sharp noted that O’Bannon lived his commitment to labor-management cooperation in his role as city human resources director. 

The LMC also recognized 10 new graduates of the Mid-Level Leadership Program.  The unique program, co-sponsored with Rockhurst University, develops the leadership skills and mutual understanding of up-and-coming leaders from both labor and management.  Among the past graduates at the event were Martiny and Paul Berardi, recently appointed Chief of the Kansas City, Mo. Fire Department. 

The new graduates receiving certificates at the event included Matthew Alexander, Fleet Maintenance Technician, City of Kansas City, Mo./AFSCME Local 500; Bret Bonge, Senior Manager, Employee Relations & Staffing, Kansas City Power & Light Co.; Jeffrey Johnson, Deputy Chief, City of Kansas City, Mo.; and Kevin Timkin, Project Executive, Ceco Concrete Construction, LLC.  This year’s graduates unable to attend included Clay Calvin, Battalion Chief, City of Kansas City, Mo./President, Fire Fighters Local 3808; Michael Carney, Craftsperson, Kansas City Water Services/AFSCME Local 500; Siretha Herron, Neighborhood & Community Services, City of Kansas City, Mo.; Linda Palumbo, Manager, Labor Relations, Kansas Gas Service; Travis Ragan, Membership Development Representative, IBEW Local 124; and Timothy Walsh, Maintenance Mechanic, Kansas City Water Services/AFSCME Local 500. 

The LMC also elected officers for 2013, and several board members for three-year terms including Co-Chair (Labor) Terry Akins, business manager, IBEW Local 124; Vice Co-Chair (Labor) Pat “Duke” Dujakovich, president, Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO; Secretary, Alise Martiny; Treasurer Don Greenwell, president, Builders’ Association; Executive Commitee, John Phillips, partner, Husch Blackwell; Board Jack Bainbridge, business manager, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663; Bret Bonge, Senior Manager, Employee Relations & Staffing, Kansas City Power & Light Co.; Sherwin Carroll, president, Service Employees International Union Local 1-Missouri Division; Michael Kitchen, Labor Relations Manager, City of Kansas City, Mo.; and Dave Lovetere, DST Realty.

The event’s co-sponsors included:

Founding Sponsor Power Partners;

Anniversary Sponsor Builders’ Association;

Award Sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, CIGNA, Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO, J.E. Dunn Construction Co. and Pipefitters Local 533.

The organization also announced that its annual golf tournament will be Monday, July 22, at Oakwood Country Club.  Other key upcoming events include the iBuild Showcase April 30 at Bartle Hall, sponsored by the National Institute for Construction Excellence, and the annual Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 14-17. 

Prizes were also awarded including tickets to the Kansas City Ballet and an Argosy Casino gift card.

Look for photos in this space soon.

The LMC's 34th Anniversary Celebration and 14th Annual Awards Dinner is set for Thursday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. at Argosy Casino. Recipients of the Outstanding Leadership in Labor-Management Collaboration and the Service to the Labor-Management Council awards will be announced as about 200 leaders gather. Contact the LMC to participate.

LMC Board Approves Issues Agenda

LMC Board of Directors Summary of Minutes

April 12, 2012, 8 a.m. • MMC Contractors

Attending:  Sam Alpert, Jack Bainbridge, Scott Hoisington, Mike Kotubey, Michael Kitchen, Bob Jacobi.

•Thanks to Mike Kotubey and MMC Contractors for hosting.

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

•M/S/C to approve the Issues Committee recommendations (attached).

•All three issues positions endorsed by the LMC on the April Kansas City, Mo., ballot were successful.  The KCMO Council is also advancing two ordinances that resulted in part from efforts of the Construction Committee:  renewing the Workforce Board and requirements for diverse workforce participation on city-funded projects and a debarrment ordinance strengthening the tools to address contractors who violate prevailing wage and other rules on city projects.

•The Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner is nearing 200 participants.  Reservations are still being accepted.

•Upcoming events include the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 14-17, the LMC’s Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament (again with Cigna as title sponsor) July 22 and the Public Officials Reception Nov. 21.  The Mid-Level Leadership Program is accepting applications for classes beginning likely Sept. 25.

•M/S/C to add Bret Bonge, Kansas City Power & Light Co., to the list of nominations for a three-year board term to be voted on at the Awards Dinner.

•LMC and member organization issues can be examined as a part of capstone projects for Rockhurst University undergraduate and MBA students in the Helzberg School of Management.  Please contact Bob Jacobi with suggestions soon.

•Members are encouraged to volunteer and otherwise support the iBuild Showcase which exposes high school and middle school students to potential construction industry careers.  It will be held April 30 at Bartle Hall.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 9:30 a.m.

The Issues Agenda for 2013:

The following issues positions have been adopted by the Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City by a unanimous vote of its Board of Directors:

Federal

•Support construction of the Keystone pipeline project.

Note:  we also expressed support for a federal transportation bill, which was passed, based on past positions and current state positions.  An interim bill was passed but a longer-term measure is still needed.

Watch List:

 •Oppose a benefits tax in  federal health care reform; Any future stimulus funds include significant vertical construction projects.

Missouri

•The LMC supports reasonable and effective economic development incentives.  While the LMC supports ensuring that tax credits and other incentives are cost effective, we want to preserve those tax credits crucial to economic development such as the historic tax credit, tax increment financing and enact an angel tax credit and data center incentives.

•The LMC supports the Quality Jobs program. 

•The LMC opposes legislation to impose “right-to-work.”

•The LMC supports maintaining and increasing Medicaid eligibility and adequate provider reimbursement. 

•The LMC supports state funding for a comprehensive transportation plan.

•The LMC supports Prevailing Wage in its present form. 

•The LMC opposes TABOR (taxpayer bill of rights). 

•The LMC endorses retention of the Missouri Plan for judicial selection and the similar policy that exists in Kansas.

•The LMC supports development of a statutory framework for public employee collective bargaining in Missouri to reduce uncertainty for workers and for public employers. 

Watch:  Unemployment Insurance, Workers Compensation, Utility Rates & Energy Capacity, Education/Kansas City School District.

Kansas

•The LMC supports reasonable and effective economic development incentives.

•The LMC supports continued funding for the comprehensive transportation plan.

•The LMC endorses retention of the Missouri Plan for judicial selection and the similar policy that exists in Kansas.

•The LMC opposes immigration reform proposals that would put the burden of I-9 verification on contractors for subcontractors.  Verification responsibility should fall only on the direct employer of those workers.

Watch:  Kansas “driveway” tax (proposed requirement for impact study if increasing user fees)

 

Construction Committee Gets Updates on Legislation, Events

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, April 11, 2013, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Sam Alpert, Terry Akins, Brian Dietz, Adrienne Foster, Teresa Garza Ruiz, Jerry Helmick, Scott Hoisington, Kevin King, Herb Millard, Kevin Sexton, John Tompson, Colleen White, Bob Jacobi.

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

•The KCMO Workforce Ordinance renewal and the debarrment ordinance are being heard in committee this morning.  Several committee members are attending that hearing. (Note:  both ordinances were approved in committee unanimously)

•The KCMO Crime Lab/East Patrol has delayed construction so that the design can be completed

•Prevailing wage, “right-to-work,” data center, transportation funding and Medicaid expansion legislation remain on the table in Missouri with adjournment May 17.  The Kansas legislature passed HB 2069 forbidding local governments (including the Unified Government) from enacting or keeping prevailing wage.  The bill goes to the Governor.  Transportation funding remains a key issue in Kansas.

•Industry leaders are meeting with Sen. Claire McCaskill regarding MBE/WBE contracting issues.  The WCOE holds its national meeting in Washington, D.C., next week.  Colleen White will be interviewed by Ch. 5 Sunday regarding Women’s Equality Day.

•Adrienne Foster seeks input on how to address the use and exploitation of undocumented workers, particularly on projects in the Wichita area.

•Further discussion is needed on MBE/WBE enforcement in KCMO; economic development agencies are now including MBE/WBE requirements.

•A speaker on the LA Plan for prevailing wage enforcement will be in town likely in June.  The details will be distributed to the committee.

•With many crafts again in recruitment mode thanks to improving construction volume, the IBEW Minority Caucus invites all trades to participate in a Skilled Trades Community Outreach May 11.

Also the iBuild Showcase will bring hundreds of high school and middle school students to Bartle Hall April 30.  Sponsors and volunteers are needed.

•The ASA Awards Dinner will feature David Ficklin, architect and SportingKC vice president, as speaker.

•Upcoming Events:

  *Working Families’ Friend Texas Holdem Poker Tournament, April 12, 5:30-10:30 p.m,

     Pipefitters & Plumbers Hall, 8600 Hillcrest; joan@wffriend.org

  *Medicaid expansion and labor issue lobby day in Jefferson City, April 16

 *KC CREW Luncheon April 16, 11:30 a.m., Mission Hills CC

  *HCA Luncheon, KCMO TIF, 1April 17, 11:30 a.m., Manny’s Restaurant

 *Joint MCA/NECA/SMACNA Event “Gone Too Soon”, April 18, 7:30 a.m., OP Sheraton

  *LMC Anniversary and Awards Dinner, April 18, Argosy Casino

  *HUD/USDOL FLSA and Prevailing Wage Training, April 25, details annie.J.Woods@hud.gov 

  *KC CREW Happy Hour, Hunt Midwest Subtropolis, April 25, 5-7 p.m.*Workers’ Memorial Day, Builders’ Training Center, April 26, 10 a.m.

  *iBuild Showcase, April 30, 2013, Bartle Hall

  *SMACNA Golf Tournament, May 7, Shoal Creek Golf Club

  *ASA Awards Dinner, May 9, Ritz Charles.

  *Boy Scouts/AFL-CIO George Meany Awards Dinner, May 9, Argosy Casino

  *Skilled Trades Community Outreach Forum, May 11, 10 a.m., Southeast Community Center

  *Missouri legislative session ends May 17, 5 p.m.

  *Builders’ Association Scholarship Golf Tournament, May 20, Milburn Country Club

  *Labor and Employment Research Association national meeting, St. Louis, June 6-9

  *Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 14-17, 2013

  *Craig Whitaker Memorial LMC Golf Tournament, July 22, Oakwood Country Club

  *ASA Golf Tournament, Sept. 6, Hillcrest Country Club

  *LMC Public Officials Reception, Nov. 21, 5-7 p.m., Kauffman Performing Arts Center

 •Next meeting 8 a.m. Thursday, May 9 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

•Adjourn

The LMC is pleased that all three issue positions we endorsed carried easily on Tuesday. All three were Kansas City, Mo., ballot issues: Question 1, extending the health care levy; Question 2, closing a loophole in the hotel tax; and Question 3, in opposition to restricting city involvement with suppliers to the newly-constructed NNSA plant. each issue passed with overwhelming margins.
We also congratulate each of the winners in area municipal and school board races. The willingness to serve in these positions is vital to our community's success.

The LMC also congratulates Sen. Gina Walsh, recently elected president of the Missouri State Building and Construction Trades Council (and the first woman in that position). Sen. Walsh has always been a friend to the LMC and our positions. Her predecessor, former Sen. Tim Green, was also a great friend and supporter.

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m., Thursday, April 11 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

The Builders' Association recently recognized the area's safest contractors. J.E. Dunn Construction Co. was the grand winner for all divisions. Other LMC members recognized included Turner Construction Co., MMC Contractors and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. The firms were recognized at the Midwest Safety Conference held March 14; the 2014 event is slated for Feb. 12-14. Photos of recipients can be found in the Photo Album (see left column) Builders Safety 2013.

In other Builders' Association news, 19 college students received scholarships from organization's scholarship fund. The students were recognized at the Builders' Association 126th anniversary dinner.