The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC mourns the passing of Dave Kirkpatrick's mother, Jan. Dave is business manager for Operative Plasterers' & Cement Masons Local 518. Services are today, 6-8 p.m. visitation at Davis Playlet Hudson Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville, Mo., with funeral Friday at 2 p.m.

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m., Thursday, May 10 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc. Unified Government Mayor David Alvey will speak.

Photos from the LMC's 19th Annual Awards Dinner and 39th Anniversary Celebration April 19 are now available in the Photo Album section to the left under 2018 Awards Dinner & Anniversary Celebration. Copies of the printed program from the event are also available in either hard copy or electronic format.  Please let us know if you would like electronic or hard copies of any of the photos or program. Thanks so much to Bill Wien, Builders' Association, and Mary Jacobi for taking the photos.

Services for Bill Baker, former Independence City Councilman and longtime friend of the LMC as well as father of Cindy Circo, will be a visitation held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, and funeral mass at 11 a.m. Friday, April 27, both held at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 3736 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence, MO 64055.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Missouri Veterans Home of Warrensburg. The LMC expresses its condolences to the Baker and Circo families.

The LMC mourns the death of Bill Baker, former Independence City Councilman and Operating Engineers Local 101 member. Bill was the father of Cindy Circo, past KCMO Councilwoman now with Kansas City Power & Light Co., and grandfather of Mario Circo, a Kansas City, Mo. fire fighter whose funeral service is today, and of a Pipefitters Local 533 member.

LMC Honors FMCS, Hears How “Faith Always Wins” from Mindy Corporon at Awards Dinner and Anniversary Celebration

We can all make “ripples for good” and understand each other better, Mindy Corporon told 250 labor, business, government and community leaders at the Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City’s (LMC) 19th Annual Awards Dinner and 39th Anniversary Celebration April 19 at Argosy Casino.

The LMC also recognized one retiring and two retired Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service commissioners for their leadership in labor-management cooperation.  Peggy McNeive, Gene Bralley and Pat Dunn were cited for their commitment and continued efforts.  Robin Norris, Builders’ Association; Emilia Peek, E&K and Nicole Abrahamson, Belger Cartage, received the Service to the Labor-Management Council for their volunteer work with the organization.

Brian Dietz, JE Dunn Construction Co. vice president, was elected Co-Chair, Management and Greg Davey, Builders’ Association labor relations director, succeeded Dietz as Vice Co-Chair, Management, at the event.  Re-elected were Alise Martiny, Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council, as Secretary; Don Greenwell, Builders’ Association president, as Treasurer; and Bret Bonge, Kansas City Power & Light Co.; Teri Casey, City of Kansas City, Mo.,; Joe Hudson, Carpenters District Council and Lindsey Walker, Service Employees International Union, as Board members.

Corporon, founder of the Faith Always Wins Foundation and its Seven Days: Make a Ripple, Change the World, program, lost her father and son in a shooting by an anti-Semite at the Jewish Community Center in 2014.  The gunman wanted to assassinate Jews, though neither Corporon’s father nor son were Jewish.  She said that her reaction to the shooting led her to explore Judaism and eventually Islam and other faiths to try to understand why the shootings happened and how to prevent future hate crimes.

A successful business owner long active in the community, Corporon started the foundation with a focus on kindness.  “Maybe if someone had been kinder to the shooter, my father, son and Terri LaManno would still be here” she said.  Corporon said she learned in her research of the common elements among Christianity, Judaism and Islam as well as other faiths.  “I like being a Christian, but faith in God is something these religions share.”  The term faith in the foundation name, she explained, does not mean religion but a shared faith in God and heaven that gives strength in difficult times.

The Seven Days program is set for next year April 9-15.  The foundation is also working on a program to help healing in the workplace.  She noted that after the shootings, she continued to work but did not share with her co-workers.  Instead, she wants people to share with co-workers and co-workers know how to help to facilitate healing.

The focus on workplace healing proved especially poignant as the event coincided with services for Mario Circo, a Kansas City, Mo., fire fighter.  Mario was the son of Cindy Circo, former Kansas City, Mo. City Councilwoman and now with Kansas City Power & Light.  Circo’s father, former Independence City Councilman Bill Baker, died earlier in the day.  Mario’s brother is a member of Pipefitters Local 533 so many in the audience were grieving.

Corporon received a standing ovation from the audience.

The LMC also recognized Sam Alpert, Construction Users Council, as outgoing Co-Chair, Management, for his service.  Alpert brought the perspective of customers to the LMC as well as knowledge of development and issues such as housing, noted LMC executive director Bob Jacobi.

Recent graduates of the Mid-Level Leadership Program received their certificates.  The 2017-18 graduates are Jason Beaman, Fire Fighters Local 42; Lalita Brown, Kansas City, Mo. Aviation Department; Anthony “Nino” Bruno, Kansas City, Mo. Fire Department; Phillip Butler, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663; Daniel Heizman, Fire Fighters Local 42; Joseph Hegendeffer, Kansas City Power & Light Co.; Robert Hollinsworth, Kansas City Power & Light Co.; Kyle Lewis, Kansas City Power & Light Co.; Andres Nelson, Kansas City Water Services; Todd Rohr, Kansas City Water Services.

Sponsors making the event possible included Founding Sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Cigna and IBEW Local 124.  The Builders’ Association was the Anniversary Sponsor and Awards Sponsors included Delta Innovative Services, Fire Fighters Local 42, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663, JE Dunn Construction Co., Pipefitters Local 533 and Power Partners.  Supporters included Bricklayers Local 15 and Laborers Local 1290.  Volunteers were Mary Jacobi, Nicole Abrahamson, Emilia Peek and Debbie Sawyer, Belger Cartage.

Photos from the event will be available soon on this blog in the left side photo albums.

The next LMC events include the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 8-11, the Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament July 16 and the annual Public Officials Reception Oct. 11.

The LMC is a nonprofit association based at Rockhurst University.  Its mission is to enhance collaboration by solidifying trust between labor and management and the community.  For more information contact Bob Jacobi, [email protected] or (816) 501-4565.

Congratulations to past LMC Co-Chair Kevin Sexton, recently sworn in as General Secretary-Treasurer of the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association. Kevin served as OPCMIA Local 518 business manager and then as an international representative.

The LMC mourns the death of Ron Kelley, former SEIU President Local 96 (now Local 1. Ron was a longtime employee at Truman Medical Centers. Services include a Friday, 6-8:30 p.m. visitation and a Saturday, 10 a.m. funeral at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line. The family suggests contributions to Youth Trailblazer Development.

The LMC sadly reports the death of Mario Circo, a Kansas City, Mo., firefighter and member of Local 42. His mother, Cindy Circo, is a past KCMO Councilwoman and is now a leader at Kansas City Power & Light Co., and his grandfather Bill Baker a past Independence City Councilman. Our condolences go to the Circo and Baker families.  Visitation will be 6-8 p.m Thursday at St. Marks Catholic Church, 3736 Lee's Summit Road in Independence, with funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday followed by a procession to the Fire Fighters Local 42 hall, 6320 Manchester.

Congrats to folks from LMC members named to the Kansas City Business Journal's Power 100: Terry Bassham, Kansas City Power & Light Co.; Rosana Privitera Biondo, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.; Ramin Cherafat, McCownGordon Construction Co.; Tim Cowden, Kansas City Area Development Council; Brett Gordon, McCownGordon Construction Co.; Don Greenwell, Builders' Association; Sly James, City of Kansas City, Mo.; Gordon Lansford, JE Dunn Construction Co.; Quinton Lucas, City of Kansas City, Mo.; Robbie Makinen, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority; Joe Reardon, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; Troy Schulte, City of Kansas City, Mo.; Charlie Shields, Truman Medical Centers; Scott Taylor, City of Kansas City, Mo.; Maurice Watson, Husch Blackwell; Russ Welch, Polsinelli; and Danette Wilson, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City. We also note several others who work closely with the LMC: David Alvey, Unified Government; Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, past LMC honoree; Esther George, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City;Bridget McCandless, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City; and Eileen Weir, city Independence.

Construction Committee Discusses Legislation, Housing

 

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday,  April 12, 2018, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Nicole Abrahamson, Sam Alpert, Willis Bowers, Greg Davey, Brian Dietz, Dave Kirkpatrick, Greg Lever, Alise Martiny, Jason Mendenhall, Kevin O’Neill, Bob Jacobi.

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

•The committee wishes Jerry Helmick a speedy recovery from hip surgery.

•The impact of the Missouri House committee investigating Gov. Eric Greitins on legislation was discussed.  Prevailing wage, UMKC conservatory, tax cuts and budget are among the issues that may be affected.

•The new Kansas education funding bill continues the cap on school bonds, with a change to not count district bonding amounts above $175 million against the cap.  Next year may be a better opportunity to reverse or amend the cap.  While action on school funding is positive no clear path to restoring transportation funding has been developed.

•Negotiations continue between labor and Clark Weitz Clarkson on the KCI terminal project.  Recent announcements of subcontractors include numerous LMC members.

•The Building Trades has ratified a new contract with Jackson County.

•KCMO is attempting to develop a housing plan.  Key issues include affordability and quality as there is a shortage of affordable, quality workforce and low income housing.  Ideas can be forwarded to the city housing department.  The LMC may look further at ways the industry can help address the issue.

•NICE hosts iBuild May 3, with reception May 2.  Volunteers are needed especially to judge the Crayons to CAD projects, which have increased participation this year from area schools.

•Upcoming Events include:

*Hispanic Contractors Association luncheon, April 18, 11 a.m., Guadalupe Center, KCPS

  Purchasing presentation on upcoming projects

•MCA-KC Workshop Fierce Conversations, April 18, 8 a.m.-April 19, 4 p.m.

*Lean Construction Institute Luncheon, April 18, noon, MMC Contractors

*LMC Anniversary & Awards, April 19, 2018, Argosy Casino

*Working Families Friends Texas Hold’m Tournament, April 20, 5:30 p.m., Pipefitters Hall

*MCA’s Propel Stage 2-Engage April 26, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., MCA

 *iBuild Reception, 5:30 p.m., May 2, Bartle Hall

 *iBuild Showcase May 3, 2018, Bartle Hall

*SMACNA-KC Associates Golf Tournament, May 8, Shoal Creek Golf Club

 *Missouri Legislature adjourns May 18

*Camp NAWIC, June 4-8, Builders’ Training Center.  Sponsorships available.

*NAWIC Scholarship Golf Tournament, June 11, 8 a.m., Adams Pointe Golf Club

 *Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 8-11, 2018, Camden on the Lake

 *LMC Craig Whitaker Golf Tournament July 16, 2018, Oakwood Country Club

 *Primary Election Aug. 7

 *FMCS National Conference, Aug. 21-23, 2018, Chicago.

*Working Families Friend BBQ Cook-Off, Sept. 29, 1-4 p.m., Pipefitters Local 533

 *LMC Public Officials Reception, Oct. 11, 5:30 p.m., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

 *NICE Awards Luncheon, Oct. 30, Muehlbach 

 *General Elections Nov. 6

*iBuild 2019 April 18

•The next meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, May 10 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.  Speaker will b Unified Government Mayor David Alvey.  KCMO Councilman Scott Taylor will speak at the June 14 meeting.  There will be no July meeting due to the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 9:20 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.