The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC wishes you a Happy New Year!

The LMC mourns the passing of Phil Morrisey, retired business agent for IBEW Local 124 and retired labor representative for Humana. Phil was a strong supporter of the LMC and its mission. Services will be Saturday, Jan. 4, 9:30 a.m. visitation, 11 a.m. mass followed by a celebration of life at Church of the Nativity, 3900 W 119th Street in Leawood. Donations suggested to Kansas City Hospice.

The LMC wishes all a Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas this week!

One item on the LMC's Issues Agenda may finally get resolved if Congress passes and the President signs the latest budget agreement, which would permanently repeal the "Cadillac tax" as the LMC has called for. Never implemented, the tax would impact higher cost health benefit plans.

The LMC mourns the passing of Bryant Barnes, co-founder and past president of FCI Advisors. FCI Advisors is a longtime LMC member and Bryant frequently attended and supported LMC events. He will be missed. Service will be Dec. 19, 3:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, with contributions to Pembroke Hill school and the KU Cancer Center recommended.

We also mourn the passing of former Kansas State Rep. David Huff and Larry Barcus, former chair of L.G. Barcus & Sons and a past president of the Heavy Constructors Association. Our condolences to their families and those who worked with them to improve our community.

Construction Committee Explores Opportunities for Kansas Prisoners

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Jim Albano, Sam Alpert, Rosana Privitera Biondo, Richard Bruce, Greg Davey, Kate Davis, Brian Dietz, Stephanie Haynes, Jerry Helmick, Gabe Jones, Dave Kirkpatrick, Greg Lever, Bill Livingston, Alise Martiny, Erica Torres, Laura Wagner, Bob Jacobi.

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

•Discussion with Kate Davis, Legislative Liaison for Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, on opportunities for apprenticeship programs to work with state correctional facilities for workforce recruitment/development.  The state is interested in expanding its skilled workforce and lowering recidivism for those released from prison.  Possibilities include pre-apprenticeship type programs for current prisoners and those recently released.  Challenges include reluctance of some employers/customers and transportation.  Most apprenticeships do not do background checks, though some employers and customers require them as well as drug tests.  Education on the opportunities could be provided by employers and employees who have experienced successful transitions as well as their union representatives.  Possible audiences include the Builders’ Association membership and the GKC Chamber.  Sharing experiences Missouri has had would also be helpful.  Those interested in working with Kansas on the issue can contact Kate at 785-368-6555, cell 785-581-3260, kate.davis@ks.gov, and at the statehouse in Suite 264-W, 300 SW 10th Ave. in Topeka.

•Missouri has started a state apprenticeship office.  A presentation from the office and the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship will be made tomorrow, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. at the Carpenters Regional Council, and all interested are invited to attend.

•JE Dunn has received another contract for work at KCI.  Discussion was also held on how the KCI Workforce Training Program works and expectations for contractors.  The deadline to apply for the first two groups is Saturday at Full Employment Council offices.  Those completing the program will receive the opportunity to become apprentices working for KCI contractors.

•Legislative pre-filing has begun in Missouri.  Many of the bills are the same or similar to past bills.  Bills on increasing the gas tax for transportation funding, employment regulation, TIFs, contractor regulation, workforce development, Medicaid expansion and taxation are of particular interest.  In Kansas the LMC supports restoring the local option for prevailing wage, improved transportation funding and Medicaid expansion among other issues.

In KCMO Mayor Lucas has made his first appointments to economic incentive boards.  It will be important to educate some appointees on development/construction issues and encourage support for quality projects with good standards.  The LMC will continue to look at affordable housing issues; codes updating is also coming in 2020.

•Federal reform for multi employer pension funds is becoming a prominent issue, with a proposal from two GOP senators and the House bill (HR 397) awaiting Senate consideration.  There is great concern that the GOP senate proposal would be devastating to many otherwise successful plans without solving the issue.  But the proposal adds attention to the issue and makes it a good time to talk with area Senators.

•Former Building Trades president, LMC Co-Chair and Operating Engineers Business Manager Sam Long died, with services Saturday (see below).  The recent passing of Frank Quinn, retired Pipefitters Local 533 business manager, was also recognized.

•All are invited to the Builders’ Association Christmas Party tomorrow, Dec. 13, 3-6 p.m. at the Builders’ Training Center.

•Upcoming events:

*Missouri Office of Apprenticeship Presentation, Dec. 13, 10 a.m., Carpenters Regional Council

*Builders’ Association Christmas Party, Dec. 13, 3-6 p.m., Builders Training Center

*Sam Long Funeral Services, Dec. 14, 11 a.m., Muehlbach Chapel

*Missouri legislative session begins Jan. 8

*Kansas legislative session begins Jan. 13

*USDOL Davis-Bacon meeting Jan. 13, 9 a.m., Sheet Metal Workers Local 2

*CREWKC Luncheon, CDB/Cannibas Impact on Commercial Real Estate, Jan. 21, 11:30 a.m.,

  Grand Street Cafe

*NAWIC Bowling Tournament, Jan. 26, 9 a.m., Park Lanes in Shawnee

*Missouri legislative session spring break March 23-27

*iBuild Reception, April 15, 2020

*iBuild 2020, April 16, 2020

*LMC 41st Anniversary Celebration and 21st Awards Dinner, April 30, 2020, Argosy Casino

*Missouri legislative session ends May 15

*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

*Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service National Conference, Aug. 18-20, 2020,

  Chicago

*NICE Awards Luncheon, Oct. 27, 2020, 11:30 a.m., Muehlbach

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

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

•M/S/C to Adjourn at 10:30 a.m.—Happy Holidays!

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.

We are saddened to report on the passing of two past LMC leaders:

Sam Long served as the third labor LMC Co-Chair while leading Operating Engineers Local 101 from the mid-70s through early 90s. He had a significant impact on labor and the community. Sam died Nov. 27 in Houston at age 92; the local service will be Saturday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. at Muehlbach Chapel, 6800 Troost. Contributions to the Boys & Girls Club are suggested.

Norman Hudson served many years on the LMC Executive Committee during his tenure as president of Kansas City Federation of Teachers Local 691 from the early 70s through the end of the century. He was a strong proponent of the LMC's mission and engaged the Kansas City Public Schools in the LMC. He led Local 691 through strikes that resulted in his jailing, and ultimately a contract and productive relationship with the district. Norm died Nov. 25 in Kansas City.

Thanks to Meghan Tallman and Judy Morgan, respectively, for letting us know.

The LMC is saddened by the passing of Frank Quinn, retired business manager of Pipefitters Local 533. Frank was a strong supporter of the LMC and its mission and a longtime leader in Local 533 and the community. Services are Monday, Dec. 9 at Redemptorist Parish, Linwood and Broadway: Visitation, 1:00 p.m., Mass, 2:00 p.m. Burial to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.