The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

With a few rainy exceptions, it's been great golfing weather recently. So it's time to sign up for the LMC's 2017 Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament. Sponsorships, foursomes, prize donations and volunteers are all welcomed for a great relationship-building opportunity on Monday, July 17, Oakwood Country Club.

Contact [email protected] or (816) 501-4565 for a reservation form and more details.

The LMC wishes all a great Memorial Day weekend as we remember those we have lost and enjoy time with our families.

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets Thursday, June 8, 8 a.m. at Mark One Electric Co, Inc. The meeting likely will wrap up by 9:15 so that attendees can participate in the KCMO airport hearings at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall.

The LMC congratulates board member Lindsey Walker, SEIU, on her marriage this weekend to Sean Ryan.

The LMC thanks Missouri State Rep. Randy Dunn for his service and his consistent support of LMC issues. Rep. Dunn is resigning to take a new position in Nebraska. The KC area will miss his leadership.

Congrats to Alpha Energy and Electric, Inc. for being named the Mr. K Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year. Alpha is signatory to LMC member IBEW Local 124 and member of LMC member NECA KC.

The LMC mourns the death of Larry Larson, past Clay County Commissioner and attorney, who supported our mission and promoted sound economic development.

The movement to modernize KCI is moving swiftly: today, a presentation by the Building Trades and organized labor; a discussion with Pat Klein, airport director, at the Construction Users Council; and announcements of upcoming GKC Chamber and City Hall meetings. More details here later.

Mid-Level Leadership graduate Cemal Gungor, city of Grandview finance director, was named one of the area's top 15 Chief Financial Officers by the Kansas City Business Journal. Congrats Cemal.

With the completion of the regular Missouri General Assembly Friday, here is how the LMC's Agenda did:

•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. No action but a committee is expected to release a report this summer expected to be critical of historic and other tax credits. SB 283 passed, which allows port authorities to create “advanced manufacturing zones” with incentives.
•The LMC opposes legislation to impose “right-to-work.” Missouri passed it, a petition effort is
underway to postpone implementation until the November 2108 election
•The LMC supports maintaining and increasing Medicaid eligibility and adequate provider
reimbursement. The Missouri House voted down an amendment to expand Medicaid
•The LMC supports state funding for a comprehensive transportation plan. No action, though HCR 47 passed that creates a Transportation Task Force to assess and report.
•The LMC supports Prevailing Wage in its present form. A repeal bill passed the House, but died on the Senate floor
•The LMC supports development of a statutory framework for public employee collective bargaining in Missouri to reduce uncertainty for workers and for public employers. No action
•Support matching funds for the downtown UMKC performing arts campus. Passed; awaiting action by the governor
Watch: Unemployment Insurance (no action), Workers Compensation (SB 66 passed that limits benefits in some circumstances and disallows adverse actions against workers who file claims), Utility Rates & Energy Capacity (no action), Education/Kansas City School District (no action).

Other issues of interest: SB 182 forbids public entities from using Project Labor Agreements; SB 240 creates statewide electrical contractor licensing; HB 93 creates adult high schools with industry certifications available in four areas though not KC and expands Missouri Works financial flexibility; HB 151 creates the REAL ID option for drivers’ licenses that can be used to board passenger planes and access federal facilities; expansion of 911 to all counties did not pass but SB 503 did, which creates a statewide 911 coordinator; SB 43 changes the standard for discrimination cases from "a" motivating factor to "the" factor as well as other restrictions on plaintiff's ability to file and win such cases.

A special session is possible, though it is unclear what issues would be addressed. The veto session is in September though to date the Governor has not vetoed any bills.

The LMC looks forward to more details on the proposal by Burns and McDonnell to put together financing and lead the construction of a new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport. The LMC supports modernization of the airport to better accommodate passengers and planes while generating economic growth in the area. KCMO Mayor Sly James and past LMC Co-Chair Duke Dujakovich spoke at the announcement of the proposal, which will be studied by the city council.

Construction Committee Reviews State Legislation, Previews Local Issues

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday,  May 11, 2017, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Terry Akins, Sam Alpert, Louie Brinkoetter, Alex Gonzalez, Jerry Helmick, Greg Lever, Bill Livingston, Jason Mendenhall, Scott Ritzinger, Bob Jacobi.

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

•The Missouri legislative session ends Friday at 6 p.m.  It is unlikely that prevailing wage will be addressed in the Senate; preparations for legislation in 2018 are likely the next step and require engagement from the community.  The Mid-America Labor/Management Conference will have a session on prevailing wage’s future.  REAL ID passed the Senate and the amended version is likely to pass the House, averting for two years until it is implemented the need for Missouri residents to have passports for airline travel and entering certain federal facilities.Action on tax credits is postponed until next session after the commission releases its recommendations—likely to be negative on tax credits—this summer.  Letters to the Governor are urged in support of HCR 19, which would complete funding for the UMKC Conservatory in downtown KCMO.

•Upcoming issues at the city of Kansas City, Mo., include the streetcar extension, airport modernization and a potential new fee and Health Department regulation structure for multifamily residential housing.  NICE has a video on the economic importance of the airport available for use.  The Construction Users Council hosts airport director Pat Klein for a presentation next Wednesday, May 17, 8 a.m. at 2405 Grand, Room 310.  Committee members are invited to attend.

•NICE hosted 2,200 high and middle school students at iBuild.  For the first time in several years, interviews were available for high school seniors with employers and apprenticeship programs.  Senior Day tours can be scheduled at apprenticeship training centers.  The next iBuild will be May 3, 2018.

•The impact of the recent fire at an Overland Park apartment complex under construction could be greater difficulty getting approval for multifamily construction in in-fill areas.  The incident reinforces the need for safety.

•At the June committee meeting there will be discussion of a possible upcoming Construction Summit focused on technology, health care or both.  Members are urged to bring ideas to that meeting.

 

•Upcoming Events

  *Missouri legislative session ends, May 12, 6 p.m.

  *Builders’ Association Scholarship Golf Tournament, May 15, Milburn Country Club.

  *Hispanic Contractors luncheon on Kemper Arena project, May 16, 11:30 a.m., 

    Guadalupe Center

  *Lean Construction lunch May 17, noon, black & Veatch, 8400 Ward Parkway Room W1A

  *MCAKC Connect at Tapcade, May 18, 3:30-5 p.m.

  *Heart & Stroke Walk, May 20, 8 a.m., Power & Light District.

 *Working Families Friend Golf Tournament, June 20, Deuce at the National

 *Union Sportsman Alliance, June 21, 5:30 p..m. at IBEW Local 124.

  *Rockhurst University Fr. Joseph Freeman Golf Tournament, June 26, LionsGate

  *Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 9-12, Camden on the Lake

  *LMC Golf Tournament, July 17, Oakwood Country Club

  *KC CREW luncheon, July 18, 11:30 a.m., Grand Street Cafe

  *LMC Board Meeting, July 19, 8:30 a.m., Rockhurst University

  *MCA Charity Golf Tournament, Aug. 28, The National

  *Construction Expo and Academies, Sept. 13, Bartle Hall

  *KC CREW 20th Anniversary, Sept. 13, 5-8 pm., American Restaurant

  *Laborers Charity Golf Tournament, 20th annual, Sept. 29, 8 a.m. at Drumm Farm

  *KC CREW Golf Tournament, Oct. 3, Deer Creek Golf Club

  *LMC Public Officials Reception Oct. 12 at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

  *NICE Annual  Awards Luncheon, Oct. 17, Muehlbach

  *iBuild Showcase May 3, 2018, Battle Hall

  For details on the above events, please contact the sponsoring group or the LMC

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, June 8, 2017, Mark One Electric Co., Inc. 

•M/S/C to adjourn at 10 a.m.

The mission of the Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City is to enhance collaboration by solidifying trust and communication between labor and management in the community.