Upcoming LMC events:
•Mid-Level Leadership Program begins Sept. 18. Application deadline Sept. 13
•Public Officials Reception, Oct. 24, 5:30 p.m., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
•41st Anniversary Celebration and 21st Awards Dinner, April 30, 2020, Argosy Casino
•Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 12-15, 2020, Camden on the Lake
•Craig Whitaker Memorial LMC Golf Tournament, July 27, 2020, Oakwood Country Club
Mid-America Labor/Management Conference Summary 2019
July 7-10, Camden on the Lake, Lake Ozark, Mo.
More than 120 leaders from labor, management and government gathered at Camden on the Lake to learn about innovating labor-management relationships July 7-10, 2019. Photos from the conference are to the left under MALMC 2019; for more information an any of the presenters, please contact bob.jacobi@rockhurst.edu.
Keynoting the 34th annual Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, Gary Hattal explored and explained the differences between dispute resolution and conflict management. FMCS Regional Director Barbara Rumph introduced him noting his leadership in expanding the agency’s alternative dispute resolution and new markets.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service assistant director provided several “rules of three” to help leaders navigate disputes and conflict. He also explored the differences among generational groups in the workplace, with the increasing numbers of millennials and decreasing proportion of baby boomers. Hattal explained the distinction between trust and credibility, and how understanding that is crucial to building strong relationships.
Hattal also led a workshop, Conflict Management and Your Working Style in which he helped participants identify their own working tendencies and how to identify them in others. By understanding differences, leaders can better understand each other and best deploy talent in teams. His system divides work styles into analytics, drivers, amiables and expressives.
The conference opened with a “thank you” from Mike Louis, Missouri AFL-CIO president and conference vice-chair, for the result of last year’s ballot issue overturning “right-to-work” in Missouri. The 2018 conference, taking place just a month before the vote, included presentations from Louis and contractor Tim Wies explaining the negative impact of “right-to-work” in Missouri. Louis noted that both Missouri workers and companies benefit from the training, cooperation and good wages provided by collective bargaining, and the joint efforts to defeat “right-to-work” demonstrated what can result from working together.
Will Lawrence, chief of staff for Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, updated the conference on key Kansas budget, health care, infrastructure, corrections, tax and education issues being tackled by the new governor. Lawrence brought great familiarity with the conference as a labor attorney and past conference presenter. He noted improvements in worker pay and benefits but that the state is a long way from achieving adequate compensation for its employees. He reiterated the governor’s support for restoring a local option for prevailing wage on construction projects and restoring investment in infrastructure, though legislative cooperation is a significant challenge.
Health and safety were key themes for the conference, particularly innovative approaches. Speakers and workshops addressed health benefits, mental health and suicide prevention, substance abuse issues, workplace safety and safety for increasingly diverse workforces.
For health care plans, Garry Kemp and Ron Rowe from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City presented on its new Spira clinic option, which allows customers to get primary care for no out-of-pocket expense. Spira clinics have been established throughout the Kansas City metro area with more being planned.
John Howard, Cerner, updated attendees on the stand-alone primary care clinic for Operating Engineers Local 101 and is adding one for the Carpenters in St. Louis. Cerner has also developed an app, Cerner HealthTap, providing one-stop access for self-diagnosis, discussions with physicians and other features.
A new offering in the regional market introduced to the group by Taft-Hartley consultant Pat Donohoe and Ben Pauley comes from Grand Rounds, which rates physicians. The ratings allow plans to see if members are using the best quality doctors and provides case review access to the top one percent of rated physicians. Such reviews have helped avoid unneeded surgeries.
A safe workplace is also critical to a health, productive workforce. OSHA is experiencing a busy year, noted Elizabeth Morales, U.S. Dept. of Labor-OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialist. She explained OSHA's priorities ands in workplace injuries. Fall protection is a critical issue in several industries including construction. She explained injury reporting, whistleblower protection, partnership programs and agency initiatives.
ONE Gas has been able to dramatically reduce workplace injuries through its safety program that calls for significant employee and union involvement. The goal is zero workplace injuries. Commitment from leadership is vital, as is training from peers rather than just “experts” noted Michael Farlow, safety director for the company. Encouraging reporting of all injuries is also vital, he said, so problems can be addressed. Gene Sicard, assistant business manager of IBEW Local 304, said that “egos can get in the way” of safe work habits. The K-Gas approach of listening to labor has been critical to the program’s success, he added.
Though working in confined spaces was the focus, David Miguel, Underground Safety and Supply LLC, providing a well-received workshop on utility safety. Miguel will provide a general session address at the 2020 conference.
Psychological safety is vital as well. Sheet Metal International Union Education Director Chris Carlough and Fire Fighters Local 42 Financial Secretary-Treasurer Eric Rose explored approaches to mental health that address substance abuse and help prevent suicides. Both emphasized the role of co-workers identifying people at risk and directing them to services. SMART is implementing training for leaders at all levels and Local 42 is taking over the employee assistance program for its members and others through creating 42 Cares.
Carlough and Rose explained their own challenges and how they overcame them. Both construction and public safety have high suicide rates. Creating a culture where workers, especially men, become willing to seek help is essential to reducing substance abuse and suicides, both agreed.
Another element of psychological safety is expressed in the “Me Too” movement, and in making workplaces more welcoming for an increasingly diverse workforce. Carlough and Lisa Davis, field representative for the SMART International Training Institute, discussed examples of harassment and discrimination and methods to stop such behavior. Davis noted that power issues as well as race, gender, and other differences generate abusive behavior at work. Many people think they would do the right thing when witnessing such behavior but do not actually intervene. There are techniques for intervention that can be taught and lessen the risk for the intervenor, both agreed. Management and labor have responsibilities to make the workplace safe for all.
The impact of Missouri’s recent legalization of medical marijuana has many workplace implications, especially where drug testing occurs. How will employers deal with workers who test positive but are legally able to use medical marijuana? What are the standards for impairment? What are the health effects of CDB-infused products? These questions are being addressed now in many workplaces, Chris Carlough pointed out. With neighboring states such as Colorado going even further in legalization, potency rates on the market far exceed what limited research has taken place can account for.
One of the most difficult labor-management issues is when a plant has to close. Throughout the US, the combination of age and environmental concerns is leading to the closure of fossil fuel-based energy generating plants. Evergy, the combination of Kansas City Power & Light Co. and Westar Energy, has worked closely with IBEW to mitigate the impact on workers in recent closures as explained by Randy Adams, IBEW Local 412 business manager; Casey Bough, senior director of renewables for Evergy; Robert Hollinsworth, senior director of the LaCygne Generation Station for Evergy; and Todd Newkirk, IBEW international representative.
The company made a commitment on recent closings to avoid forced layoffs. But doing so required extensive collaboration among plant managers and the IBEW to find the best options for affected workers. Adams noted that membership has declined as renewables, which require fewer workers to generate similar energy, become a bigger part of the utility’s portfolio. Hollinsworth noted that once a closing is announced, stress increases on workers and safety becomes the top issue. Even when keeping their job, many workers have had to change work locations often meaning longer commutes, Baugh said.
“The more you talk the more you need to talk” and the more important an unified message is from labor and management, Adams said. Hollinsworth noted that he and Adams stood side-by-side in meetings with affected workers. The situation isn’t going to change, Newkirk said, even with policy changes being attempted by the Trump Administration. The changes are being challenged in court and market forcers will push renewables in any case. The key is to be proactive rather than reactive, he added.
Energy’s critical role in economic development was explored in workshops on Electric Vehicle regulation and the development of the Grain Belt Express power line. Pat Justice, Ameren, and Zach Pollock, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, explained what is happening with EV charging stations while Daniel Hall, Missouri Public Service Commission commissioner, provided the history of the Grain Belt line and its potential for economic benefits in Missouri.
Since not all labor-management disputes can be solved through discussion, the conference provided updates on labor law, key tips on arbitration and the benefits of grievance mediation.
One of the conference’s most popular sessions for years has been the mock arbitration. This year the mock session, which includes sidebar tips and explanations as well as audience questions, was conducted by arbitrator Pat Dunn; management representatives Steve Boyce, Evergy, and Amanda Vogelsberg, Henson, Hutton, Mudrick, Gragson & Vogelsberg; and labor representatives John Garretson, IBEW Local 304; Will Lawrence, Office of Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly; and Brad Miller, IBEW Local 304. Arbitrators Dunn, Peggy McNeive and Doug Bonney also provided a session on what arbitrators look for.
Updates from National Labor Relations Board attorneys Carla Coffman and Julie Covel covered new Employer Rules cases and general counsel memos as well as new general counsel memos on unions’ duty of fair representation.
One method for avoiding arbitration and legal filings is via grievance arbitration, as explained by Stephanie Haynes and Barbara Rumph from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. FMCS can provide a no cost, neutral process for generating dialogue between the parties that can avoid further steps in a grievance process. FMCS commissioners in St. Louis and Kansas City can be contacted for help.
A vital role of union leaders is serving as trustees on labor-management benefit funds. Bill Miller, Novak Birks, provided an overview of not only the responsibilities of trustees but also key elements trustees need to look for in executing their duties. Miller noted that many new union trustees haven’t had experience with such roles before and training is essential to avoid problems as well as maximizing the funds’ resources.
The conference also hosted relationship-building opportunities at an opening reception, a golf tournament at The Golf Club at Deer Chase and a banquet featuring prizes and the MLB All-Star game on a big screen. Attendees were also able to sample Missouri-produced wines at the banquet.
A key addition to the 2019 conference was an app for smart phones and computers. The app gave detailed schedule and speaker information, including some presentation PDFs, as well as information on attendees, facility and area maps, an update system for attendees throughout the conference, sponsor information and more. The app will return in 2020.
Conference sponsors making the event possible included Evergy (Westar/Kansas City Power & Light Co.), Bank of Labor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, IBEW Local 304, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City and Principal Financial Group. Conference planning committee members included co-chairs Bret Bonge, Evergy; Bob Jacobi, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City; vice chair Mike Louis, Missouri AFL-CIO; secretary John Garretson, IBEW Local 304; treasurer Tom Johnson, Bank of Labor, each of whom were re-elected to their positions after the conference; and committee members Clark Blodgett, IBEW; Steve Boyce, Evergy; Pat “Duke” Dujakovich, Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO; Jay Lind, Sheet Metal Workers Local 2; Jacque McCormick, One Gas; Dawn Nicklaus, Nicklaus Lobby; Barbara Rumph and Bobby Thompson, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; and Mary Taves, National Labor Relations Board.
The 35th annual conference will be July 12-15 again at Camden on the Lake. Look for registration information soon. Suggestions for the conference are always welcome; contact any planning committee member.