The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

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

The LMC mourns the passing of Bev Alery. Most recently with HERE Local 64, Bev is a past LMC board member when she was executive director of the then-SEIU Local 96. Her leadership and friendship will be greatly missed. Services are at 10 a.m., Friday, July 26 at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E 39th in Independence with visitation tonight from 6-8 p.m.

The LMC congratulates its co-chair, Terry Akins, business manager for IBEW Local 124 and president of the Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council, for receiving the LEPCI Labor Representative of the Year along with fellow IBEW member former Sen. Tim Green. We also congratulate Nancy Yoke, Teamsters Local 41, for receiving the Seth Slocum Union Advocate of the Year.
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster noted that Akins "leads Local 124 with intelligence and determination" and has only begun to have an impact on labor in the state. Terry is "always promoting union construction" noted Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley. Akins noted part of his inspiration is from his daughter, now a Local 124 apprentice, who told him years ago after seeing him frustrated with events of the day that "Dad, it's OK. It all starts with one person."
Sen. Green, a great friend and promoter of labor-management cooperation during his nearly three decades in the Missouri legislature, continues his work as legislative director for NECA in St. Louis and IBEW Local 1.

See a photo of U.S. Health and Human Services Dept. Regional Director Stephene Moore and insurance leaders Mike Moran (Cigna) and Mark Compton (Blue Cross Blue Shield) in the 2013 MALMC album, left. The three shared insights on the impact of the Affordable Care Act, particularly on labor-management health plans.

LMC Hosts Successful Golf Tournament

The Sixteenth Annual LMC Craig Whitaker Memorial Cigna IBEW Local 124 Golf Tournament drew 15 foursomes and a half-dozen volunteers to Oakwood Country Club July 22, 2013.  Photos from the tournament are in the 2013 Golf Tournament Photo Album (see left).

Title Co-Sponsors Cigna Taft-Hartley and IBEW Local 124 were key to making the tournament possible, as were Eagle Sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Board of Public Utilities-Kansas City Kansas, J.E. Dunn Construction Co. and Pipefitters Local 533; Refreshment sponsor Teamsters Local 838 and Signatory Distributors and volunteers Wendy Kochersperger (Humana), Herb Millard (American Subcontractors Association), Robin Norris (Builders' Association), Erin Reed (Rockhurst University), Betty Shelton (Bank of Labor) and Mary Jacobi.

Other sponsors included Refreshment Cart Sponsor Mark One Electric Co., Inc.; hole sponsors Carpenters District Council, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663, Rockhurst University, Scout Investments (2), The Segal Company, SMACNA-KC, Turner Construction Co. and United Labor Credit Union.  Contributing raffle and gift bag items were Argosy Casino, Bank of Labor, BMO Taft-Hartley Trust, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Builders' Association, Cigna, Humana, IBEW Local 124, Mary Jacobi, Rockhurst University, Turner Construction and United Labor Credit Union.  Dixon Golf also sponsored contests and prizes.

The tournament featured $800 in Oakwood Pro Shop prizes for the first place foursome, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City (60), $400 for the second place team, J.E. Dunn Construction Co. (61) and $200 for the third place team Pipefitters Local 533 (61).  Mark Compton took the closest to the pin ($100 in pro shop credit) and John Schierbaum the longest drive (also $100 pro shop credit); both are with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The tournament is named for Craig Whitaker, a longtime LMC Board member and tournament founder.  Next year's event is planned at Oakwood Country Club again, tentatively for July 21.

The LMC thanks the sponsors, volunteers and players as well as the excellent Oakwood staff.

The Mid-America Labor/Management Conference got off to a rousing start with more than 150 participants witnessing oral arguments on three cases heard by the Missouri Western Court of Appeals. Judges Joseph Ellis, Gary Witt and visiting from the Eastern District Robert Clayton heard the cases and then answered 40 minutes of questions from the audience. The cases addressed interesting employment security and workers' compensation issues. Results of the panel's ruling will be distributed to conference attendees in a few weeks. The conference continues Tuesday with remarks from Missouri AG Chris Koster and Secretary of State Jason Kander followed by keynotes from NLRB Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon and FMCS Deputy Director Scot Beckinbaugh and an afternoon of workshops. The conference is being held at the Lodge of the Four Seasons.

Construction Committee Discusses Upcoming Projects

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

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

Attending:  Terry Akins, Greg Chastain, Brian Dietz, Allen Dillingham, Don Greenwell, Jerry Helmick, Joe Hudson,  Dennis Joyce, Kevin King, Bill Livingston, Bob Looman, Alise Martiny, Dan Osman, Tom Whittaker, Colleen White, Bob Jacobi.

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

•Budget issues have delayed the next design phases for the KCMO Crime Lab/Patrol Station.  Two small bid packages have been let but future bids await final design decisions.

•Gov. Nixon has issued numerous vetoes; his action on HB 34 isn’t yet final but he is not expected to veto it.  Medicaid expansion interim committees and a House citizens committee are preparing recommendations for the next session.

•The USDOL invites crafts and contractors to attend a meeting on the upcoming Kansas prevailing wage survey on July 24, 10 a.m. at the Laborers Local 1290 hall, 2600 Merriam Lane, KCK. •Reporting of wages and benefits for prevailing wage in Missouri and for federal studies is key to maintaining accurate rates.  Fringe fund reports can help with enhanced reporting.

•The LMC will explore a possible meeting of benefit fund trustees.

•KCMO’s consideration of a new KCI terminal can use voices in support.  Also the KCMO Charter Review Commission is moving quickly on major recommendations to go to a November ballot; members are urged to communicate with the commission that a careful approach to discussing major changes is preferred.

•The KCMO PIEA is working to enhance prevailing wage compliance; one problem is that many developers come to the assistance stage with professional and contracting teams already in place.  A more proactive approach particularly to the larger developers and learning about projects in early stages would be helpful.  Also, responses to the loss of prevailing wage in Wyandotte County are being studied.  KCCP can be an avenue for both issues.

•NICE had a successful iBuild and continues to expand its approach to high school students.  Richard Bruce, Builders’ Association, is the new board president.  Committee members thanked Alise Martiny for her leadership for two terms as NICE president.  Ideas to expand outreach to school districts were discussed.  NICE is looking to establish an advisory board.

•The LEPCI dinner has tables available; Sen. Tim Green and Terry Akins are honorees.  The dinner is July 19, Harrah’s Casino.

•Jack Bainbridge, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663, continues to be hospitalized after surgery.  Get-well cards can be sent to the Local 663 hall, 7820 Prospect, KC MO 64132.

•Robbie Makinen, Jackson County, has experienced serious vision problems.

The committee expresses its hopes for speedy improvement for both Jack and Robbie.

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

•M/S/C to adjourn at 9:15 a.m.

•Upcoming Events:

  *New KCI? Discussion at Downtown KCMO Library 6 p.m. July 11

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

  *KC CREW Luncheon, July 16, 1:30 a.m., Mission Hills Country Club

  *LEPCI dinner honoring Terry Akins and Sen. Tim Green, July 19, 6 p.m., Harrah’s

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

  *USDOL Meeting on Kansas Davis-Bacon survey, 10 a.m, July 24, Laborers Local 1290, 

    2600 Merriam Lane

  *GKC Building Trades Golf Tournament, Aug. 22, Eagles Landing Golf Club, Belton

  *KC CREW Golf Tournament, Aug. 22, Shoal Creek

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

  *Western MO & Kansas Laborers Charitable Golf Tournament, Sept. 13, Drumm Farm

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

  *KCHAC Construction Forecast luncheon, Jan. 22, 2014, Downtown Marriott

  *SMACNA Trade Show, Feb. 14-18, 2014

  *Midwest Construction Safety Conference, March 12-14/2014, Adams Pointe Center

For information on the above events, contact the sponsor or the LMC.

The LMC's best wishes and hopes for speedy recoveries go to Jack Bainbridge, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663, and Robbie Makinen, Jackson County, who have suffered recent illnesses.