The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The Kansas City chapter of the Associated General Contractors recognized several LMC members at its annual Building Excellence Awards May 24:

•JE Dunn Construction Co.'s awards included Project of the Year by a General Contractor (over $100 million) for the Cerner Innovations Campus; Finalist for the Project of the Year ($50-100 million) for Lenexa Civic Center; Finalist for Project of the Year ($25-50 million) for Shawnee Mission School District Center for Academic Achievement; Finalist for the Community Service Award.
•Turner Construction Co. was recognized with Project of the Year ($50-100 million) by a General Contractor for the University of Kansas EEEC; Finalist for Project of the Year ($25-50 million) for Children's Mercy Office Building; and Finalist, Renovation of the Year for Crossroads Academy Quality Hill Renovation.
•McCown Gordon Construction Co. was recognized as Project of the Year General Contractor ($25-50 million) for Missouri Innovation Campus; Finalist, Project of the Year ($50-100 million) for University of Kansas Medical Center Health Education Building; Finalist, Project of the Year ($10-25 million) for St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School; Finalist Project of the Year (Under $5 million) for David T. Beals III Studio for Art and Technology; and Finalist Renovation Project of the Year for Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center.
The awards were judged by a distinguished panel of construction experts.

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 14 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost, KCMO. KCMO Councilman Scott Taylor will speak.

Registration is now open for the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 8-11 at www.malmc.org . Hotel reservations are also available at Camden on the Lake, www.camdenonthelake.com , code LABR0718 for the conference rate. Dr. Thomas Kochan, MIT professor and leading expert on labor-management relations and workplace issues, is the keynote with the conference theme of "Shaping the Future of Labor-Management Relationships." Other topics include "right-to-work," cybersecurity, labor law, arbitration, prevailing wage, health care, women in the workforce and more.

Construction Committee Talks with Mayor Alvey

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday,  May 10, 2018, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Sam Alpert, David Alvey, Greg Davey, Brian Dietz, Alex Gonzalez, Don Greenwell, Chris Heegn, Gabe Jones, Dave Kirkpatrick, Greg Lever, Bill Livingston, Lynn Melton, Bill Tillman, Colleen White, Bob Jacobi.

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

•Unified Government Mayor Hon. David Alvey addressed the committee.  The Mayor thanked supporters in labor and the construction industry for their support.  He focused on the need to both catch up on the city/county’s maintenance and infrastructure backlog as well as continue reducing property taxes with a long-term plan.  The Mayor noted that several national groups are identifying strategies for revitalizing older neighborhoods by incremental improvements in existing housing stock and commercial properties which improve the lives of residents and can attract those seeking affordable housing.  He prioritizes developments that provide specific quality-of-life improvements for residents such as grocery and denser housing rather than less sustainable and more expensive developments.  KCK’s older neighborhoods can be a draw for retail from those living in downtown KCMO.  STAR bonds are a vital tool for such improvements, and the Mayor warned that some legislators want to gut the STAR bond program.  He agreed that workforce development and restoration of local prevailing wage are critical, and supports metro-wide efforts.  The LMC pledged to work with Mayor Alvey on his vision for the city/county.

•Efforts are underway to finalize a compromise for Missouri prevailing wage, but it is uncertain if a final agreement can be reached and if there will be time before the end of session May 18 to pass.  Other issues in the final days include gas tax for transportation and employment security.  A bill to address statewide electrical contractor licensing has passed.

•A revised MBE/WBE ordinance for Kansas City, Mo., is expected to advance from council committee to the full council today.  Provisions are being changed continually.

•Don Greenwell provides an AGC discussion on the impacts of tariffs/trade proposals: https://soundcloud.com/agcofamerica/how-steel-and-aluminum-tariffs-hurt-construction.

•NICE had a successful iBuild event last week, bringing nearly 2,000 high and middle school students to Battle Hall to interact with more than 40 industry exhibitors.  Students came from 47 schools in 31 districts.  Apprenticeship programs interviewed 26 high school seniors.  Next year’s iBuild will be April 18.  Senior days continue at apprenticeship centers.

•The Builders are hosting a construction mentoring program for those 18 and older for three weeks beginning June 4.  There are spots available for those interested.  Other workforce efforts include a study by MARC of the construction, architect and engineering industry.  MARC and KC Sourcelink were mentioned as possible partners for a coordinated rescue center to attract and link in students interested in the industry as well as educating parents.

•USDOL is holding a prevailing wage seminar June 12-14.  Participation is encouraged.  The first two days will focus on prevailing wage (Davis-Bacon) and the final day will include OSHA, labor standards and other DOL departments.

•This is national safety awareness week and all are urged to emphasize safety culture and specific safety procedures to all workers.  The need for OSHA refresh training was cited.

•Upcoming events include (for details on the events, please contact the sponsors or the LMC):

*Builders’ Association Scholarship Golf Tournament May 14, Milburn Country Club

*Missouri Legislature adjourns May 18

*Blend Work-Life Balance Dinner, MCAKC, May 18, 6-9 p.m., Lydia’s

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

*Builders’ Association construction mentoring program, beginning June 4

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

*Prevailing Wage Seminar by USDOL, June 12-14, Holiday Inn Country Club Plaza

*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament, June 19, 7 a.m., Loch Lloyd Country Club

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

*Celebration of Life of Bill Richardson, July 10 (tentative), noon, Sheet Metal Local 2

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

*LMC Board Meeting July 18, 8:30 a.m., Rockhurst University

*Primary Election Aug. 7

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

*Builders’ Industry Expo, Sept. 19, Bartle Hall

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

*KC CREW Golf Tournament, Oct. 4, Creekmoor Golf Course

*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

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, June 14, 2018, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.  KCMO Councilman Scott Taylor will speak.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 10 a.m. 

The LMC mourns the passing of former Board member Bill Richardson. Bill served as business manager for the Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council from 1974-91 after being a leader in the Painters. Services are at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E 39th Street in Independence, 9 a.m. visitation and 10 a.m. service.

Nearly 2,000 middle and high school students toured more than 40 exhibits and activities from the construction industry at iBuild yesterday. Sponsored by the National Institute for Construction Excellence, iBuild drew from schools throughout the metro area and region. Entries from the Crayon to CADS middle school design contest were also judged and winners awarded. See the NICE website www.nice-kc.com for details and photos.

The LMC mourns the death of Jerry Enright, retired member of Plumbers Local 8 and a longtime financial secretary of the local. Services will include visitation Friday, May 4, 9:30 a.m. with Mass 11 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1800 W. State Route 150 in Lees Summit followed by luncheon.