The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC's Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost KCMO. Topics include project updates, prevailing wage legislation, KCI modernization and more.

The LMC mourns the death of Jim Klobnak. Jim was an officer in ATU Division 1287, representing Kansas City ATA workers, an attorney, former assistant Jackson County prosecutor and leader in Fire Fighters Local 42. He was a strong advocate of labor-management cooperation and of the LMC, and a fixture at many community, labor, transit and political activities. Services will be Sept. 2, 10 a.m. visitation at Mount Moriah Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes with a memorial service at 11 a.m. The family suggests contributions to Wayside Waifs or the KC Pet Project.

Jim will be missed.

Kansas City, Mo., voters will get the opportunity to modernize KCI Nov. 7. The KCMO Council voted yesterday to place the issue on the ballot. The LMC supports KCI modernization. The city's choice for a construction and finance team is slated to be made next week. The ballot language:

Shall the city of Kansas City be authorized to construct a new passenger terminal at Kansas City International Airport and demolish existing terminals as necessary, with all costs paid solely from the revenues derived by the CIty from the operations of its airports and related facilities, and without the issuance of general airport revenue bonds unless such general airport revenue bonds have received prior voter approval?

Services for Pete Raya, IBEW Local124 member and Mid-Level Leadership graduate, will be Monday, Aug. 28, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. visitation at McGilley Midtown Chapel with funeral Mass at 1 p.m. at Redemptorist Church.

The LMC mourns the death of Pete Raya. Pete, a graduate of the Mid-Level Leadership Program, was a business agent for IBEW Local 124 and involved throughout the community. His late father, Clemente Raya, was a leader in Sheet Metal Workers Local 2. We will share details of Pete's services when they become available.

Congratulations to the General Motors Fairfax plant for earning an Energy Star certificate for its energy efficiency improvements, one of just two Kansas manufacturing plants to earn the distinction.

THe LMC mourns the death of Nick Berardi, retired Kansas City, Mo. fire fighter and father of KCMO Fire Chief Paul Berardi. Paul is a graduate of and strong advocate for the Mid-Level Leadership Program.

The LMC wishes you a happy Eclipse Day! While the sky won't be perfectly clear, a great experience is still likely for the KC metro area. Reminds us of labor-management relationships.

Opponents of the "right-to-work" passed by the Missouri legislature and signed by the Governor turned in 310,567 signatures on petitions that, if certified, would delay implementation of the law until after a public vote in November 2018. More than 30,000 signatures were gathered in each congressional district. The law would have taken effect Aug. 28. About 100,000 signatures of registered Missouri voters are required to suspend the law and place it on the next statewide ballot. The LMC opposes "right-to-work."

Congratulations to JE Dunn Construction Co. on its selection as Midwest Contractor of the Year by Engineering Record magazine.

JE Dunn's Midwest President Dirk Schafer, also chairman of the Builders' Association, and Builders' President Don Greenwell, LMC treasurer, were among those who gave impressive testimony yesterday in support of Missouri's prevailing wage law. The law is being examined by a Senate interim committee. The LMC supports prevailing wage and is open to supporting changes to improve the law's function. The committee is charged with developing recommendations for the legislature's next session beginning in January 2018.