The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC congratulates Dr. Steven Green, Kansas City Public Schools superintendent, for being named the Missouri Superintendent of the Year.

More data center construction could come to Missouri now that SB 149, which provides incentives for such centers, has passed the General Assembly. The LMC supports the bill and hopes Gov. Jay Nixon signs it.

We are sad to note the passing of Charlie Burton, a leading member of IBEW Local 124. Charlie was active in his community, including years of service on the school board, as well as with the local. He will be missed.

The Mid-Level Leadership Program 2014-15 class concluded last week with 12 excellent graduates (see below). The program, nearing 30 years old, also benefits from excellent instructors, who this year included Don Greenwell, Builders' Association; Pete Bicak, Rockhurst University; James Daley, Rockhurst University; Terry Stone; Jim Maloney; Terry Kilroy, Polsinelli; John Phillips, Husch Blackwell; Alise Martiny, GKC Building & Construction Trades Council; and Peggy McNeive, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service. Graduates are:

Angela Ashlock, Kansas City Power & Light Co.
Paul Brooks, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police
Tracey Bryant, City of Kansas City, Mo.
Calogero Casa, Kansas Gas Service
Robert Crockett, City of Kansas City, Mo.
Tiffany Drummond, City of Kansas City, Mo.
Ross Grundyson, Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department
Ted Henry, Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department
Shelly Loulos, Kansas City Power & Light Co.
Jacque McCormick, Kansas Gas Service
Paul Paikowski, Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department
Jason Wright, JE Dunn Construction Co.

The LMC's Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Congratulations to LMC member International Builders & Consultants, Inc., which is a candidate for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Awards. IBC is a commercial carpentry contractor.

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Esther George will keynote the Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City's 16th Annual Awards & 36th Anniversary Dinner, Thursday, April 16, at
Argosy Casino.

The event will also feature the election of LMC officers and the announcement and presentation of the LMC's Leadership in Labor-Management Cooperation and Outstanding Service to the Labor-Management Council awards.

Sponsors to date include, Anniversary Level--Builders’ Association; Awards Level--Bank of Labor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, CIGNA, J.E. Dunn Construction Co. and Pipefitters Local 533. Sponsorships and reservations are available; contact (816) 501-4565 or email [email protected].

Congrats to LMC Co-Chair Scott Hoisington, Turner Construction Co., elected Assistant Chairman of the Builders' Association board, and Eric Turner, McCownGordon Construction and Mid-Level Leadership Graduate, elected to the Builders' board last month.

Congrats to the General Motors Fairfax Assembly Plant and UAW Local 31. Two models produced at the plant--the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2012 Buck LaCrosse--were named tops in their category for three-year reliability by JD Powers. The achievement highlights the quality of the area workforce.

Happy St. Patrick's Day. The LMC is proud to be Irish today.

Congratulations to Ford Motor Co. and UAW Local 249 for beginning production of the new F-150. A ceremony Friday featured Ford President of the Americas Joe Hinrichs, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and UAW leaders including Local 249 president Jeff Wright. Many area elected officials attended as well. The plant has more than doubled in employment to more than 7,000 since 2009.