The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service national labor-management conference, The Future of Work, will be held as a virtual event rather than in-person in Chicago as scheduled Aug. 18-20, 2020. Registration for the virtual event begins June 8, and will be $50. Check www.fmcs.gov for more details.

Congratulations to Bill Wien for his Lifetime Achievement Award from the Builders' Association at the Associated General Contractors Kansas City Building Excellence Awards. Bill is retiring from the Builders' this year, and has been a great friend and supporter of the LMC. Many of the best event photos you will find in this blog's photo albums have been taken by Bill, as well as providing information for many blog entries. The LMC wishes Bill great luck in retirement though we will miss his professionalism and friendship greatly.

LMC Board of Directors

Summary of Minutes

May 27, 2020 • 9 a.m.

Zoom Hosted by Greg Davey, Builders’ Association

Attending: Sam Alpert, Bret Bonge, Terri Casey, Greg Davey, Brian Dietz, Duke Dujakovich, Tim Dupin, Gabe Jones, Alise Martiny, Jason Mendenhall, Chuck Tarpley, Bob Jacobi

•Thanks to Greg Davey and the Builders’ Association for virtual hosting.

•M/S/C to approve the Financial Report.  Updates will be provided as we resume being able to access mail.

•M/S/C to approve the Construction Committee recommendation that the LMC oppose Missouri SJR 38 when it appears on the ballot.  SJR 38 would amend the changes to legislative redistricting, gifts and campaign finance that voters approved in 2018.

•Reminder that in the local elections June 2, the LMC supports Kansas City, Mo., Question 1 to fund fire department needs via an increase in the sales tax.  Special legislative sessions will be held in Kansas and Missouri and bear watching.  Missouri Medicaid expansion, supported by the LMC, will be on the Aug. 4 ballot.

•The Mid-America Labor/Management Conference changed its dates from July 12-15 to Aug. 23-26, though like all upcoming events is subject to safety concerns.

•The Craig Whitaker Memorial LMC Golf Tournament is scheduled for July 27.  Methods to maximize safety at that event were discussed.  Reservations are being received.  The LMC will reach out to Oakwood’s new owners as well.

•Alternatives to format and location of the 41st Anniversary & Awards Dinner will be explored to maximize safety and benefit to participants.

•The first Sporting Clay Shoot is set for Sept. 17.  Reservations have begun to come in.  As an outside event, safe procedures should be easier to institute.

•The Mid-Level Leadership Program is expected to be held, perhaps with format changes to maximize safety, with information to go out after July 1.

•BOMA will be meeting with the LMC next week to discuss a major role in the Public Officials Reception scheduled for Oct. 22.  Format and location changes for safety will be discussed as well.

•At the July LMC board meeting, an officer and board slate for 2020-21 will be set as well as election procedure if the Anniversary and Awards Dinner, which serves as the annual meeting, requires a different format or later date.

•The next Board meeting will be at 9 a.m., Thursday, July 23 via Zoom.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 10 a.m.

We are saddened to report the death of past LMC Co-Chair Jack Letts. Jack succeeded Bill Dunn, Sr. who had served as Co-Chair for many years, and Jack continued to serve on the Executive Committee even after his retirement from Fairbanks Morse Pump Co. Jack was a great supporter of the LMC and lived its mission in his role as CEO of Fairbanks Morse, as well has through his civic activism that included serving as board chair of the Greater Kansas City United Way and on the national board of the United Way, among many leadership roles in industry and the community. He will be missed.

Funeral services will be streamed on the Amos Family Funeral Home Facebook page at 10 a.m. Friday, May 22; online condolences are also available at www.amosfamily.com .  Memorial contributions can be made to the United Way of Greater Kansas City.

Construction Committee Catches Up, Recommends Opposition to SJR 38

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, May 20, 2020, Via Zoom

Attending:  Sam Alpert, Richard Bruce, Katie Castro, Greg Davey, Brian Dietz, Allen Dillingham, Jerry Helmick, Marcus Johnson-El, Matt Johnson, Gabe Jones, Mike Kane, Kevin King, Rocky Kloth, Joe Mabin, Laura Wagner, Richard Martin, Alise Martiny, Kevin O’Neill, Bill Tillman Colleen White, Tom Wyrsch, Bob Jacobi.

•Thanks to Greg Davey and the Builders’ Association for Zoom hosting.

•The Missouri Senate defeated the attempt to ban the Grain Belt Express transmission line project’s ability to use eminent domain.  Other legislation was limited due to COVID-19, though the legislature did maintain funding for the A+ program, MODOT increases (and inclusion of O’Neill Bridge), prevailing wage investigator (pending gubernatorial withholds), reciprocal licensing, no-notary absentee voting for the August and November 2020 elections and a ballot issue to overturn the “Clean Missouri” lobbying and redistricting changes passed by voters in 2018.  Committee members are urged to contact the Governor’s office in support of retaining the prevailing wage enforcement funding.

•M/S/C to recommend that the LMC Board oppose SJR 38 on the August or November Missouri ballot that would substantially change the “Clean Missouri” constitutional amendment passed in 2018.

•The Kansas legislature meets for one day May 21; there is great uncertainty as to what will be seriously considered.

•The latest federal stimulus plan passed by the House includes multi employer pension plan reforms.  Some of the provisions are broadly supported, but the GROW act included is supported by some unions and contractors and opposed by others.  No Senate action is likely until June.

•The federal government is switching to a verification process for WOSB and EDWOSB certification as of July 1.  This change should reduce fraud.  KCMO is discussing a faster certification process for contractors who have MODOT certification to speed the number of certified contractors.  Discussion of KCMO’s process and ability to catch pass-throughs.

•The PPP provisions in the first federal stimulus have caused confusion for businesses, and is not a good option for some as the rules have been interpreted.  There are changes in the latest House-passed stimulus bill and also a separate bill with fixes is being prepared by House leadership.  The LMC has advocated for the inclusion of 501-c 4, 5 & 6 organizations in the PPP, which the latest House bill does. The GKC Chamber is holding a webinar on PPP May 21, 1-2 p.m.

•KCMO is in the process of codes updates, with possible issues including the energy conservation codes and whether to keep the current cycle of updates.  City staff is preparing for similar update to what Overland Park just did but many council members are not as familiar with the issues and can use education.

•KCMO is also facing possible budget cuts, which could include across the board and/or steeper cuts to some departments such as police.

•KCATA is again exploring the use of volunteers for prevailing wage enforcement.

•Many publicly-funded or incentivized projects have compliance issues.  While KCMO has a bigger effort than other jurisdictions, it is still not big enough to address every project thoroughly and often must take a lesser role when federal or state money is involved, where enforcement is less rigorous.

•Jackson County has many projects underway. 

*The George Meany Union Sportsman Alliance dinner is tentatively rescheduled to Aug. 27.  Many upcoming events are contingent on the COVID-19 situation, including all LMC events.  Safety is the priority.

•Upcoming Events:

•Kansas legislature final session day May 21

•McCownGordan Construction Co.. virtual recruitment seminar for MBEWBE/DBE contractors for MCC Penn Valley campus project, May 21, 1-2 p.m., https://lnkd.in/g6EtnAv.

•GKC Chamber update on PPP, May 21, 1-2 p.m.

•GKC Chamber Climate webinar on regional climate action plan, May 21, 3-4:30 p.m.

*Missouri Local Election Day, June 7

*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 12-15, 2020, Camden on the Lake (note these dates may change)

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

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

*Primary Election Day, Aug. 4

*LMC 41st Anniversary Celebration and 21st Awards Dinner, Aug. 13, 2020, Argosy Casino

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

*Unions Sportsman Alliance Conservation Dinner, Aug. 27, IBEW Local 124
*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

*General Election, Nov. 3

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

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, June 11, 2020, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.or via Zoom.

•M/S/C to Adjourn at 9 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.

Congratulations to Mike Louis on his June 30 retirement as president of the Missouri AFL-CIO. Mike has been a strong supporter of the LMC and led the fight to defeat "right-to-work" at the ballot box. The LMC thanks him for his support.

Congrats also to Jake Hummel, who moves up from his post as Missouri AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer to succeed Mike as president. Jake is an IBEW member and former Missouri State Senator.

And congrats to Merri Berry, who will become the first woman elected to one of the top two Missouri AFL-CIO offices when she succeeds Jake as secretary-treasurer. She has been the organization's political director.

Reggie Thomas, Laborers Local 264 business manager, will continue as Missouri AFL-CIO vice president.

The LMC thanks the Missouri General Assembly for its service at a time of personal risk to the legislators. We also appreciate the Senate's defeat of attempts to deny the Grain Belt Express transmission line project access to eminent domain.

On the get well front, we wish Gene Morgan, the husband of Rep. Judy Morgan (a past LMC Board member) a speedy recovery from his angina attack. And great to see Rep. Joe Runions' recovery from COVID-19.

The LMC Construction Industry Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, May 20, 8 a.m. Please contact us if you want to attend and need info on how.

The LMC Board of Directors will meet virtually on Wednesday, May 27, 9 a.m. Please let us know if you have input or questions for the Board.

As the Missouri legislature winds down its regular session by Friday at 5 p.m., the LMC continues to monitor its activity. The Board recently added opposition to a bill and amendments denying eminent domain tools to the Grain Belt Express transmission line. While the House supported the eminent domain ban so far the Senate has resisted the idea. The LMC appreciates the Senate's support and encourages it to continue that stand through the end of the session.

Congratulations and thanks to retiring Rockhurst University faculty members who worked with the LMC:

•Bill Haefele, professor of psychology, taught in the Mid-Level Leadership Program for many years and provided guidance on that program and other issues.
•Randy Schwering, professor of management, engaged the LMC with MBA capstone projects where we could be helpful, and shared great ideas and advice.
•Turner White, executive visiting professor of management, who provided advice and great discussions. His past career with the then-KCPL also yielded helpful discussions.

We wish them best of luck in their post-Rockhurst adventures.

The LMC mourns the death of Overland Park Police Officer Mike Mosher at the hands of a suspect. Officer Mosher had been president of the Overland Park Fraternal Order of Police Lodge and active in the community. The family requests donations to the Overland Park Plice Officer's Foundation in his name.