The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC Mid-Level Leadership Program at Rockhurst University held its second of 16 sessions Sept. 29. Photos from the session are available at left under Sept. 29, 2021 Mid-Level Leadership Program. The class covered core communications principles, examined the communication failures leading to the Challenger shuttle explosion and provided each participant with a chance to do an impromptu speech. Professor Pete Bicak, Ph.D., Rockhurst University, led the session.

Upcoming LMC events include:

•LMC Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday,Oct. 6, 9:30 a.m.

•Construction Industry Committee Meeting Thursday, Oct. 14, 8 a.m. via Zoom

•LMC/BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception Thursday, Oct. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, KCMO 64108

Please contact [email protected] with questions, suggestions or RSVPs.

The LMC mourns the passing of former Missouri Senate President Pro Ten Jim Mathewson. Sen. Mathewson helped shepherd many vital bills during his tenure including significant investments in education and transportation. The LMC also notes a memorial service for former Missouri House Speaker Bob Griffin in Jefferson City at Madison's on Oct. 6, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The LMC Mid-Level Leadership Program Rockhurst University returned after a COVID-caused absence Sept. 22, 2021. The 16-week program re-launches with 13 participants who gained great insight from Greg Davey, Builders' Association Labor Relations Director and LMC Co-Chair, and Jason Mendenhall, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663 Business Manager, LMC Immediate Past Co-Chair and a Mid-Level graduate. Photos from the first session can be found at left under Mid-Level Leadership Program Sept. 22, 2021.

The 2nd LMC Sporting Clay Shoot was a success Sept. 16 at the Saddle & Sirloin Club. Photos are at left under 2021 Sporting Clay Shoot

Excellent weather and conversation added to the shoot. Making the shoot possible were these sponsors:
Luncheon--Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663
Perfect Aim--Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663, JE Dunn Construction Co., MMC Contractors, NECA-KC, IBEW Local 124, Operative Plasterers' & Cement Masons Local 518 and Pipefitters Local 533. Station sponsors included Bricklayers Local 15, Fire Fighters Local 42 and Stephens/Heffner Financial Partners (two stations).

Also key to the event's success was volunteer Greg Davey, Builders' Association labor relations director and LMC Co-Chair. LMC also thanks the staff of Saddle & Sirloin.

The LMC will host its second Sporting Clay Shoot Thursday, Sept. 16 at Saddle & Sirloin Club. Looks like a great turnout and great weather for the event. Our next events will be the opening session of the Mid-Level Leadership Program Sept. 22 at Rockhurst University and the Public Officials Recpetion wtih co-presenter BOMA-KC Oct. 14 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Happy Red Friday! Go Chiefs

Twenty years ago the LMC held its regular Construction Industry Committee, this time at the Builders’ Association Training Center. About the time the meeting was to start, Leo Zahner entered the room and announced that “a plane or something hit the World Trade Center in New York.” After a bit of discussion, we went to our regular meeting business of helping construction labor and management work together to mutual advantage. But as we left and turned on our car radios (yes that’s what people did then) the news was even more shocking and scary. Even so we had no idea how that day would change our lives.

Since that tragic day we have experienced brief unprecedented unity and hardening divisions. We experienced a relatively quick, if incomplete, military victory followed by prolonged military disasters. We’ve appreciated heroics and self-sacrifice and seen unashamed selfishness celebrated. We’ve had great technological advances and rising economic inequality. And the virus.

What has remained constant is that when mutual respect and a commitment to solving problems is present, addressing conflict brings positive results. When conflict and putting down others is the desired result, eventually no one wins. This weekend we remember those who sacrificed so much on that day and after, and can recommit to making a brighter future through a persistent focus on mutual respect and helping each other through our challenges.

Construction Summit Continues; KCMO Projects, Vaccination Discussed

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, Via Zoom

Attending:  Sam Alpert, Greg Davey, Brian Dietz, Zach Dunn, Joey Flickner, Kevin Gard, Chirs Heegn, Kevin Hendrickson, Joe Hudson, Valerie Johnson, Gabe Jones, Kevin King, Alise Martiny, Bo Moreno, Luke Moylan, Tony Roberts, Bill Tillman, Scott Van Bebber, Tom Wyrsch, Bob Jacobi. Note: if you attended and do not see your name here, please contact Bob Jacobi.

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

•Session #8 of the Construction Summit:

A list of school districts that passed bond issues in 2021 & 2020 was discussed.  Three districts will be targeted for the first discussions/presentations with a fourth to be looked at after the November school board election.  In addition, cities/counties will be included on the list. A focus on how we can help the districts—such as supporting their career education efforts via NICE and other resources—will be incorporated into the discussions.  A key is getting relationships built very early in the district/city/county process for construction projects.  A planning group and a presentation group(s) will be formed and meet soon.  In addition, an effort to recruit and support union members and contractors to pursue elected and appointed posts in district and local governments will be developed.  Similar programs done by the Realtors and black community will be examined as models.  A session(s) will be offered soon explaining the contracting process so that all committee members will be on the same page.  A detailed summary of the plan will be distributed soon.

•The KCMO Council will soon consider the Bravo/Performing Arts hotel project; committee members are urged to contact Council members in support of it.  The council  committee advanced the Golden Plaines data center project and support for that at the full council level is also urged though it is not controversial at this point.

•KCMO is also generating discussion about adding fees to development projects to address homelessness; broader funding sources are preferred as is faster distribution of funds already allocated to help.

•Support for the federal infrastructure bill now in the House is urged; locals are generating grass roots expressions of support from members.  Reps. Cleaver and David have been supportive.

•NICE is planning for a live iBuild April 5, 2022; in the meantime some districts/programs are allowing live field trips but most are not, so video episodes at apprenticeship centers continue to be produced when live visits are not possible.

•It is possible that there may be apprenticeship candidates among Afghan refugees who will come to KC.  If there are and there is interest, those connections can be made.

•Continued efforts to get workers vaccinated are crucial to economic progress as well as safety.  Many customer organizations are starting to require vaccinations and COVID tests.  The impact on  area development with lower vaccination rates, rising costs to health and welfare funds and increasing customer requirements are economic reasons for members to be vaccinated as well as the broader need to do so for safety as members continue to die due to the virus.  Local 663 is holding regular drive-through vaccination and COVID testing at its hall, 7820 Prospect KCMO; the vaccinations are open to all crafts and to the public.  Vaccination efforts by contractors have had limited success.  Vaccine requirements are a topic for contract negotiations.  Unions and contractors are urged to encourage, incentivize and when necessary/possible require vaccination.

•Note due to an Internet failure Bob Jacobi was dropped from the call. 

•Upcoming Events:

*John V. Mesh Clay Shoot, Sept. 11, Powder Creek

*LMC Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 16, Saddle & Sirloin

*Construction Safety Group Scholarship Golf Tournament, Sept. 17, Shoal Creek Golf Club

*LMC Mid-Level Leadership Program begins, Sept. 22, 4 p.m., Rockhurst University

*Historic Revitalization Missouri legislative reception Sept. 23, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Hotel Kansas City

*MO & KS Laborers Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament, Sept. 24, Drumm Farm

*Working Families Friend Picnic & BBQ Contest, noon-3 pm., Pipefitters Local 533

*Union Bowl for Children’s Miracle Ntework/KUMC, Oct. 2, Ward Parkway Bowl

*LMC -BOMA KC Public Officials Reception, Oct. 14, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

*Builders’ Leadership Course, Oct. 18, 4:30 p.m.

•iBuild Showcase April 5, 2022

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

Note: As part of National Suicide Prevention Week, here are resources for the construction industry shared at a recent University of Missouri Extension program:

https://www.agcmo.org/WCM/Safety/Suicide_Prevention_in_Construction_Industry/WCM/Nav_Items/Member_Resources/Safety/Suicide_Prevention_in_Construction_Industry.aspx?hkey=3b314f31-d3d3-491c-8cd0-f417dbf57a70

See the Missouri Works Initiative's weekly blog for related Wellness & Well-being articles--https://moworksinitiative.org/blog/

An extensive study and recommendations was done by the University of Iowa:

[email protected]

www.helthierworkforce.org

https://hwc.public-health.uiowa.edu/you-ok-campaign/

https://www.facebook.com/MUExtWorkforce

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, site TBA.  This meeting will be a session of the Construction Summit.  Please rsvp to [email protected]

•M/S/C to adjourn at 9:15 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.

Services for former Missouri Speaker of the House Bob Griffin will be Saturday, Sept. 11, 12:30 p.m. at Cameron Memory Gardens Cemetery, with celebration life 2-4 p.m. at Cameron Community Building. On-line condolences and remembrances can be left at www.polandthompson.com .