The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC will holds its annual Public Officials Reception at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Oct. 15, 5-7 p.m. Sponsorship and other information will be available soon.

The LMC sends condolences to the family of Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich, who died earlier today. Auditor Schweich was reelected in November and was an announced candidate for governor in 2016.

Construction Committee to Meet March 12

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m., Thursday, March 12, at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Congrats to James Pruetting, Mid-Level Leadership graduate and Kansas City, Mo., police officer, on his appointment as Gardner police chief.

Condolences to the families of Rudy Chavez, Steve Glorioso and Cotton Sivils, all LMC friends, for the loss of family members.

Twenty Students Awarded Scholarships at 128th Anniversary Banquet of The Builders’ Association

Twenty outstanding students received scholarships at The Builders’ Association’s 128th Anniversary Banquet Feb. 13 at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. The scholarships were funded by donations to The Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit endowment fund established to support, through scholarships, the academic education of individuals who seek careers in the commercial construction industry. The students are:
• HARISON J. PITCHFORD, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI–KANSAS CITY, • JOSE ALBERTO SOTO, PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY, • GARRETT J. ESKENS, MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, V.S. DICARLO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
• SEAN A. MITCHELL, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, J.E. DUNN, SR. SCHOLARSHIP
• HENRY C. FALK, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, FIREBAUGH CONSTRUCTION, INC. SCHOLARSHIP
• ROSE E. GENSICHEN, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA, FOGEL-ANDERSON CONSTRUCTION CO. SCHOLARSHIP
• SERGIO M. LESCANO, MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY, GRAND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LLC SCHOLARSHIP
• JUSTIN C. DISTLER, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI–COLUMBIA, JENE HAYES/HAYES DRILLING, INC. SCHOLARSHIP
• DUNCAN P. MACLACHLAN, THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, A.L. HUBER GENERAL CONTRACTOR SCHOLARSHIP
• SAMUEL M. WILCOXON, MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, JAMES L. HUTTON, SR./WILLIAM W. HUTTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
• AARON M. PARKHURST, MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY, JAMES L. “SKIP” HUTTON, JR. SCHOLARSHIP
• RICK D. SMITH, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KELLY CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC. SCHOLARSHIP
• ADAM J. WARNER, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN, MCCOWNGORDON CONSTRUCTION SCHOLARSHIP
• GEOFFREY C. WRIGHT, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN, PHILLIP W. MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
• CALEB D. SKAGGS, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI, PEARCE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP
• BLAKE A. SWAGGERTY, PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY, RAU CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP
• ZACHARY C. BENSON, PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY, GEORGE J. SHAW CONSTRUCTION CO. SCHOLARSHIP
• SAMUEL S. MAHER, MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY, THE BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
• ABIGAEL A. WELLER, DRURY UNIVERSITY, KENNETH O. VON ACHEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
• CARL D. FUEMMELER, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI–COLUMBIA, DR. JOSEPH E. PINK SCHOLARSHIP (a one-time Scholarship for the 2015-2016 Academic Year)
Don Greenwell is President of The Builders’ Association and LMC Treasurer. The Builders’ Association represents 825 general contractor, subcontractor, supplier, and service provider member companies employing about 25,000 people. With nearly 130 years of service to the commercial construction industry, it also operates training and plan room service centers in Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield, as well as its Education & Training Center in North Kansas City. The Builders’ Association’s sister organization, the Kansas City Chapter, AGC, currently represents over 135 firms and is part of the AGC of America, the largest and oldest national construction trade association in the United States. More information is available at www.buildersassociation.com .

The LMC mourns the passing of Morris Eastland, who served for nearly 30 years as president of Carpenters Local 714 and for many years as president of the AFL-CIO Tri-County Labor Council of Eastern Kansas.

The LMC congratulates two longtime friends who will soon be joining LMC members in key positions:

Joe Reardon, former mayor of the Unified Government, will become CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.  Joe was honored with the LMC's Leadership in Labor-Management Cooperation in 2010.

Richard Martin, formerly with LMC member Hush Blackwell, will succeed Woody Overton as government affairs consultant for JE Dunn Construction Co.

Construction Committee Focuses on Future Workforce

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Terry Akins, Sam Alpert, Brian Dietz, Don Greenwell, Jerry Helmick, Scott Hoisington, Joe Hudson, Matt Johnson, Greg Lever, Bill Livingston, Dave Lovetere, Joe Mabin, Alise Martiny, Kevin Sexton, Bob Jacobi.

•Thanks to Rosana Privitera Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.

•Welcome back to Terry Akins returning to the committee.

•Most crafts report near full employment.

•A subcommittee will be established to work with contractors, apprenticeship programs, schools and other programs to recruit for upcoming workforce needs.  The committee will also work with Kansas City Public Schools and other districts for future workforce development.

•The Missouri House perfected HBs 116/569 and 582, “right-to-work.” (list of KC region votes attached)  The bills need one more vote before referral to the Senate.  HB 116/569 did not have a veto-proof majority.

•The Missouri Senate perfected SB 149, a data center incentives bill.  It appears clear for final passage.

•Kansas continues to deplete its transportation program to address budget challenges.  A bill requiring E-Verify has been filed and one addressing CM at risk rules.  Both require watching.

•KCMO passed an ordinance requiring specs for city construction to achieve LEED Gold status.  Concerns were expressed on the cost of this policy; previously LEED Silver was required.

•Upcoming events include:

 *KC CREW Ted-X Happy Hour, Feb. 17, 5-7 p.m., Dentons US, 4520 Main (registration

    deadline today, $45 for nonmembers, crewkansascity.org

 *KC Public Library Forum on KCMO Election with Troy Schulte and others, 6 p.m.,

    Feb. 18, Central Library  *Village Square immigration debate, Feb. 19, 6-8 p.m., Community of

    Christ auditorium in Independence, $25 per person, information (816) 235-5067

  *Disparity Study Public Meeting, Feb. 20, 10:30 a.m., Mohart Center

  *Construction Users Council meeting with KCMO officials discussing new requirements for

    projects to meet LEED Gold, Feb. 24, 8 a.m., 2405 Grand.

  *Engaged! Outperform Your Competition, 7:30 a.m.-Noon, Feb. 24, Johnson County

    Community College (contact MCA-KC)

  *Overland Park will discuss roads and streetlighting standards, Feb. 24, Overland Park City Hall

  *Midwest Safety Conference, March 5, Adams Pointe Conference Center

  *Construction Career Fair March 7, 9-11:30 a.m., Mohart Community Center

  *Royals Home Opener April 6

  *Election Day April 7

  *Working Families Friend Poker Tournament, April 10, Plumber/Pipefitter Hall

  *Reception for iBuild Showcase, April 13, 5:30-7 p.m., Bartle Hall

  *iBuild Showcase, April 14, 2015, Bartle Hall

  *LMC Anniversary & Awards Dinner, April 16, Argosy Casino

  *NAWIC Dinner at Sporting KC April 21, speaker Cliff Illig, Cerner

  *Builders’ Association Scholarship Golf Tournament, May 18, Milburn Country Club

  *KCMO general election day June 2

  *NAWIC Golf Tournament, June 8, Adams Pointe Golf Club (Blue Springs)

  *Working Families Friend Golf Tournament, June 16, The National/Duece

  *Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 5-8, 2015, Camden on the Lake

  *LMC Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament, July 20, Oakwood Country Club

  *Working Families Friend Fall Cookout, Sept. 10

  *LMC Public Officials Reception, Oct. 15, 5-7 p.m., Kauffman Performing Arts Center

  *Construction Expo Oct. 21

•Next Meeting 8 a.m., Thursday, March 12, Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 9:15 a.m.

The LMC thanks the following KC-region members of the Missouri House who voted "No" or "Present" on HB 116/569 ("right-to-work") yesterday. The bill was perfected with a 92-66-2 vote and will be considered for passage later, though KC-region members voted against it by a 20-11-1 margin. It will then to to the Senate:

Ira Anders, Lauren Arthur, Jon Carpenter, Pat Conway, Kevin Corlew, Randy Dunn, Brandon Ellington, Galen Higdon, Bill E. Kidd, Nick King, Jeremy LaFaver, Jeannie Lauer, Gail McCann Beatty, Tom McDonald, Kevin McManus, Bonnaye Mims, Judy Morgan, John Rizzo, Joe Runions, Sheila Solon and TJ Berry.

The Missouri House Select Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations will consider later today HBs 116, 569 and 582 on "right-to-work." The LMC opposes each bill.

Condolences to the family of R.E. Wolfe, longtime contractor, who died recently at 93. He built Tri-City Construction into one of the region's largest road contractors.