The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC sends best wishes for a speedy recovery from COVID-19 to Missouri State Rep. and IBEW Local 124 retiree Joe Runions.

Labor/Management Collaboration for Safe Construction During COVID-19

Beginning today, “Care for Construction Heroes” (816) 595-4164 hot line has been establish with a task force to provide an additional resource for field workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.  All callers WILL remain anonymous and the information will be transcribed to an email format and direct to the contractor and appropriate craft(s).    The contractor will then bring the project in compliant with the recommended health and safety practices for the jobsite.  The contractor will also conduct a toolbox talk with the crew to make sure all concerns have been addressed.

Please feel free to use your social media and web sites to get the information out to our members.

The Building Trades website, www.buildkc.org, also has daily updates.

The Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council The Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council www.buildkc.org

 

The Builders' Association website, www.buildersassociation.com, has a COVID-19 Action Center with the guidelines and Health and Safety content.

Press Release

Labor and Management Create “Care for Construction Heroes” Task Force

Goal is to keep construction workers safe and healthy during COVID-19 crisis

Construction industry partners have established a “Care for Construction Heroes” task force to provide an additional resource for field workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This task force, which includes commercial construction contractors, The Builders’ Association, and labor, will help address the safety- and health-related questions and concerns of those who are performing the construction work so vital and essential to our country’s economic vitality. 

“Commercial contractors, safety and health professionals, and trade unions have protocols in place to help confront the current COVID-19 crisis, but we must stay vigilant to meet the needs of craftspeople and everyone in the field in a way that is true to our values,” said Don Greenwell, President of The Builders’ Association. “While concerns in the field should immediately be raised to someone supervising the job, we must all work to eliminate any potential safety and health issues,” he emphasized. 

“Workers will continue to receive good pay and benefits if our work is done in a healthy way. Strong communication and working with industry partners has helped us stay on top of risks. We are fighting this invisible enemy every day in so many ways in our lives,” said Alise Martiny, Business Manager, Greater Kansas City Building & Trades Council.

For COVID-19 information specific to construction, The Builders’ Association has established the COVID-19 Resource Center on the home page of their website at www.buildersassociation.com.

The COVID-19 Resource Center includes safety and health best practices as well as summaries of federal and local laws and orders. For workers with questions and concerns, a hotline has been established at (816) 595-1164.

“It is an understatement to say these are challenging times. There is no playbook on how to manage through this crisis, but we are all in this together. Our contractors are working with us to communicate, monitor and improve,” said Al Bond, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the St. Louis-Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council.

“All job sites should be transparent when it comes to health and safety,” added Don Greenwell.  “Labor is playing a very important leadership role in collaborating with management to confront the pandemic. Through education, strict health and safety protocols, and open communication, we will continue the vital work of building our communities.”

Please stay healthy and safe.

The LMC office at Rockhurst University is closed for at least the next month. However you can still reach us by email or phone. Upcoming events include:
•April meetings of the LMC Construction Industry Committee (the 9th) and Board of Directors (23rd) may be held via conference call. Details later.
•Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 12-15, Camden on the Lake; registration link https://cvent.me/MQdARk
•Craig Whitaker Memorial LMC Golf Tournament, July 27, Oakwood Country Club
•LMC 41st Anniversary Celebration and 21st Awards Dinner, moved from April 30 to Aug. 13 at Argosy Casino
•LMC Sporting Clay Shoot, Sept. 17, 11 am. at Saddle & Sirloin
•Mid-Level Leadership Program TBA in September; applications available soon
•LMC Public Officials Reception, 5:30-7 p.m., Oct. 22 at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Thanks! Please let us know if you have questions, ideas or need more details.

The LMC's 41st Anniversary Celebration and 21st Awards Dinner will now be held Thursday, Aug. 13, at Argosy Casino. The original date was April 30. The deadline for sponsorships listed on the printed invitations is now June 18; deadline for award nominations is June 1; and the deadline for reservations is now Aug. 7.

The LMC sends its best wishes for a full and speedy recover to Missouri State Rep. Joe Runions, who has contracted COVID-19. We urge all to stay safe and express thanks to first responders; retail grocery and drug store workers; janitorial workers; health care workers and manufacturing workers of needed products who are taking risks to serve the rest of us.

The LMC Board of Directors has voted to oppose Missouri HB 2033, which would deny the ability to use eminent domain for the construction of the Grain Belt Express energy transmission line. The line is expected to have a positive economic impact on the state and facilitate the use of clean energy, but the inability to use eminent domain as similar projects do threatens its viability.

The LMC wishes for all to follow best practices and stay healthy. Our upcoming events for the next two months--including the 41st Anniversary and Awards Dinner, scheduled for April 30--will be rescheduled or done via conference call. Please watch for new dates as we are able to reschedule.

Construction Committee Makes Recommendations on KC Fire Tax, Green Belt Express Bill

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, March 12, 2020, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Jim Albano, Sam Alpert, Jennifer Borkowski, Joe Coddington, Greg Davey, Tim Dupin, Dan Heizman, Jerry Helmick, Dave Kirkpatrick, Kevin King, Rocky Kloth, Greg Lever, Alise Martiny, Erica Torres, Tom Wyrsch, Bob Jacobi.

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

•Presentation from Tim Dupin and Dan Heizman, Fire Fighters Local 42, on KCMO Question 1 for the April 7 ballot.  The issue would increase the sales tax for fire services by one-quarter cent.  Funds would be used for replacement of problem fire department equipment, vehicles and buildings.  Despite proposals to keep up with aging department equipment and facilities, there have been no alternative funds allocated or found to fully meet the needs of the department.  Dupin indicated that Local 42 would assist in ensuring that construction contracts funded by the tax would enforce prevailing wage.  The issue has been endorsed by the GKC AFL-CIO, Freedom, Inc., and other organizations both north and south of the river.

•Presentation from Joe Coddington, IBEW Local 53, on the proposed Grain Belt Express and Missouri legislation that would endanger the project.  Coddington said the project would create good jobs, provide access to clean power and fiber for rural areas of northern Missouri, and would generate millions in tax revenue.  It affects more than 200 Local 53 members who live in the affected areas and would provide many jobs.  The Building Trades and the Laborers have also indicated support for the project.  Missouri HB 2033 removes the project’s access to eminent domain, which would kill the project's financial viability.  There are also concerns that HB 2033 sets a bad precedent for politicizing energy/utility projects in the state.  HB 2033 has passed the House and is now awaiting consideration in the Senate.

•M/S/C to recommend that the LMC Board endorse KCMO Question 1 on the April 7 ballot.

•M/S/C to recommend that the LMC Board oppose Missouri HB 2033.

•The USDOL issued its final rules for its new apprenticeship programs, and construction is exempted.  The latest version of Missouri’s apprenticeship legislation also exempts construction.

•The Missouri Division of Labor Standards is expected to issue its next Wage Order soon.

•FMCS and UM Extension are focusing on prevailing wage for its next Labor Law Luncheon April 8, noon at FMCS, 2345 Grand, KCMO.

•The coronavirus is causing many events and meetings to be cancelled or postponed.  The LMC is planning on its Anniversary Celebration April 30 but will reschedule if such events are still considered high risk.

*Missouri legislative session spring break March 23-27

*MCC Procurement Outreach Forum for small diverse businesses and local public entities,

  March 25, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Penn Valley Education Center

*Filing Closes for Missouri offices, March 24

*iBuild Reception, April 15, 2020

*iBuild 2020, April 16, 2020

*Working Families Friend Texas Holdem Tournament, April 17, 5:30 p.m., Pipefitters Local 533 Hall

*Give Seven Days, April 21-27

*CREW KC luncheon on TIF and Economic Incentives, April 28, 11:30 am, Grand Street Cafe

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

*Missouri legislative session ends May 15

*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament, June 15, Loch Lloyd

*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 12-15, 2020, Camden on the Lake

*CREWKC Luncheon, July 21, 11:30 a.m., Grand Street Cafe

*Craig Whitaker Memorial LMC Golf Tournament, July 27, 2020, Oakwood Country Club

*Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service National Conference, Aug. 18-20, Chicago
*CREW KC Golf Tournament, Aug. 31, Canyon Farms

*LMC Sporting Clay Shoot, Sept. 17, Saddle & Sirloin

*Working Families Friend Picnic & BBQ Cookoff, Sept. 26

*CREWKC Quarterly Luncheon, Oct. 20, 11:30 a.m., Grand Street Cafe

*LMC Public Officials Reception, Oct. 22, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

*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

•New Business

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

•Adjourn

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 sad to report the passing of Michael Dujakovich, brother of Pat "Duke" Dujakovich, Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO president and past LMC co-chair. Services include Funeral Mass held 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16 at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 6415 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MO with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Michael's name to the KU Cancer Center or Good Shepherd Hospice.

Thirty-one outstanding students received scholarships at The Builders’ Association’s Annual Banquet, which was held at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center Feb. 21. The scholarships were funded by donations to The Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit endowment fund established to support, through scholarships, the academic education of individuals who seek careers in the commercial construction industry. Check out a photo of recipients and donors at left under Builders' Association Scholarships.  The students are:

DYLAN FALTER, MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, JEFF AMMON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP; LEONARD GREEN III, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI, GEORGE BETTS, JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP; MICHAEL HOFFMAN, PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY, PATRICIA A. CARROLL SCHOLARSHIP; ANNA SCHWARTZ, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI IN COLUMBIA,
CONSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP; DOMINIC VELLA, MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY, CONSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP; GIOVANNI CORTAVE, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA, V.S. DICARLO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP; SAM WOHLER, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, J.E. DUNN, SR. SCHOLARSHIP; TYSON STITES, PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY, JOHN AND JILL DUNN SCHOLARSHIP; CHANCE BRAUN, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, FIREBAUGH CONSTRUCTION, INC. SCHOLARSHIP; TYLER COLLINS, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, FOGEL-ANDERSON CONSTRUCTION CO. SCHOLARSHIP;MIGUEL CUBERO NAVARRO, THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, GRAND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LLC SCHOLARSHIP; BENJAMIN STEGER, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI IN COLUMBIA, JENE HAYES/HAYES DRILLING, INC. SCHOLARSHIP; MATT HOLLER, THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, A.L. HUBER GENERAL CONTRACTOR SCHOLARSHIP; MICHAEL TERMAN, THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, JAMES L. HUTTON, SR./WILLIAM W. HUTTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP; LUAN VICTOR BARBOSA SANTANA, MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, JAMES L. “SKIP” HUTTON, JR. SCHOLARSHIP; SADIE BROCKETT, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS – IBC, INC. SCHOLARSHIP; BROOKS BOIE, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KELLY CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC. SCHOLARSHIP; ETHAN WEGNER, THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, MARY MCNAMARA/CORNELL ROOFING & SHEET METAL COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP; CABRIAH HILLMAN, MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY, MCCOWNGORDON CONSTRUCTION SCHOLARSHIP; VICTOR MANCILLA VARGAS, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, PHILLIP W. MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP; COLTON ORDAL, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI, MURRAY COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP; RAYMOND BOOS, MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, THE PCI SCHOLARSHIP; JOSEPH PEDROTTI, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI IN COLUMBIA, PEARCE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP; LILY QUITNO, MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY, CARL AND JOSEPHINE PRIVITERA/MARK ONE ELECTRIC SCHOLARSHIP;JACK TENBRINK, PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY, RAU CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP; DAVID TREECE, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI IN COLUMBIA, SENTER FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP; CAMRYN TORNQUIST, THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, GEORGE J. SHAW CONSTRUCTION CO. SCHOLARSHIP; HUZAIFA HASAN, PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY, THE BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP; LAINEY LEGATE, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI,
THE BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP; DARIUS ALEXANDER, METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, TURNER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP; CORY GAMBLIN, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI–KANSAS CITY, KENNETH O. VON ACHEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP.

The Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation Board carefully evaluates the student applicants’ qualifications including career goals, leadership, involvement in student organizations and community activities, and financial need. The Scholarship Foundation Board members include LMC members Richard Bruce, Ph.D. (Secretary), The Builders’ Association Training Center;Laura Chisholm, McCownGordon Construction; Brandy McCombs, IBC Traffic, Inc./IBC Carpentry, LLC; and LMC Treasurer Don Greenwell, The Builders’ Association. The Builders’ Association is a forward-looking trade group advancing commercial construction throughout the heartland region. The Builders’ Association represents about 750 general contractor, subcontractor, supplier, and service provider member companies employing about 25,000 people. The Builders’ Association can be found online at www.buildersassociation.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn.

The Mid-Level Leadership Program began its capstone simulation yesterday. The final session will be one week later than scheduled due to the class cancellation due to weather and the Chiefs' parade last month. Great leadership lessons were shared by Don Greenwell, Builders' Association president and LMC treasurer, and Pat "Duke" Dujakovich, Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO president and past LMC co-chair, on Feb. 19. A spirited discussion on leadership and ethics followed Feb. 26. Check out photos from the program at left under Mid-Level Leadership 2019 and under Mid-Level Leadership Jan. 29, 2020.