The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The next Construction Industry Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 10, 8 a.m. at Mark One Electric Co., Inc. Note: weather or COVID conditions could move the meeting online;

The LMC will postpone its Jan. 26 Mid-Level Leadership Program session due to the prevelance of COVID.  The first Spring session will now be Feb. 1 and the final session March 23.

 

Thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs for the thrilling divisional playoff game yesterday. We also appreciate the work of members of SEIU Local 1 who provide much of the support for Arrowhead Stadium operations and the contractors who built and maintain the stadium.

Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City
2022 Public Issues Agenda

The Labor-Management Council takes positions on public issues where labor and management share an interest and at least 75 percent of board members from both sides agree as part of our mission is to enhance collaboration and trust between labor and management and the community. The 2022 agenda:

Federal
•Any future stimulus funds include significant vertical construction projects.
•Support continuation of Davis-Bacon in any new federal infrastructure program.
•Oppose federal “right-to-work.”
Watch: Multiemployer benefit fund reform implementation

Missouri
•The LMC supports reasonable and effective economic development incentives. While the LMC supports ensuring that tax credits and other incentives are cost effective, we want to preserve those tax credits crucial to economic development such as the historic tax credit, tax increment financing and enact an angel tax credit and data center incentives.
•The LMC opposes legislation to impose “right-to-work.”
•The LMC supports maintaining and increasing Medicaid eligibility and adequate provider reimbursement.
•The LMC supports state funding for a comprehensive transportation plan.
•The LMC supports Prevailing Wage.
•The LMC supports development of a statutory framework for public employee collective bargaining in Missouri to reduce uncertainty for workers and for public employers.
•The LMC opposes legislation that discriminates against transgendered persons.
•The LMC opposes legislation that prohibits employers from requiring workers to be vaccinated (except for religious and health exemptions).
•The LMC opposes the change in funding formula for the Kansas City Police Department contained in Missouri SB 678 and SJR 38. The LMC supports adequate funding for the KCPD but opposes changing the formula in current law for determining city revenues and opposes changing the Missouri constitution’s prohibition of unfunded state mandates on local government.
•The LMC supports state of Missouri matching funding for the Health Sciences Development District.
Watch: Unemployment Insurance, Workers Compensation, Utility Rates & Energy Capacity, Education/Kansas City School District.

Kansas
•The LMC supports reasonable and effective economic development incentives.
•The LMC supports continued funding for the comprehensive transportation plan.
•The LMC opposes immigration reform proposals that would put the burden of I-9 verification on contractors for subcontractors. Verification responsibility should fall only on the direct employer of those workers.
•The LMC supports reinstatement of a local option for prevailing wage in Kansas.
•The LMC supports maintaining and increasing Medicaid eligibility and adequate provider reimbursement.
•The LMC opposes legislation that discriminates against transgendered persons.
•The LMC opposes legislation that prohibits employers from requiring workers to be vaccinated (except for religious and health exemptions).

Local
•The LMC supports renewal of the Kansas City, Mo. Health Levy on the April 5 ballot.
•The LMC opposes elimination of the Kansas City, Mo. city earnings tax until an alternative is in place.
•The LMC supports prevailing wage on projects with economic development incentives.
•The LMC supports modernization of the Kansas City International Airport.
Watch: Possible Kansas City, Mo., Public Safety Sales Tax increase

LMC Board of Directors Meeting Summary of Minutes
9:30 a.m., Jan. 20, 2022 • Via Zoom

Attending: Sam Alpert, Teri Casey, Greg Davey, Tom Gebken, Dan Heizman, Joe Hudson, Mike Kane, Bo Moreno, Jimmy Walker, Bob Jacobi

•Thanks to Greg Davey and the Builders’ Association for Zoom hosting, and thanks to Dan Heizman and Fire Fighters Local 42 for agreeing to host in-person before the COVID-19 spike.

•M/S/C to approve the financial report subject to audit.

•M/S/C to support renewal of the Kansas City, Mo. Health Levy on the April 5 ballot.

•M/S/C to support state of Missouri matching funds for the Health Sciences Development District.

•M/S/C to oppose the change in funding formula for the Kansas City Police Department contained in Missouri SB 678 and SJR 38. The LMC supports adequate funding for the KCPD but opposes changing the formula in current law for determining city revenues and opposes changing the Missouri constitution’s prohibition of unfunded state mandates on local government.

•The LMC will further study the cost effectiveness of the proposed Kansas City, Mo. water bonds on the April 5 ballot for future consideration of a position on the issue.

•M/S/C to adopt the 2022 Issues Agenda as amended.

•The LMC will explore these dates for 2022 events: Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament July 25, Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 15 and Public Officials Reception Oct. 13.

•M/S/C to nominate for re-election Alise Martiny for Secretary and Don Greenwell for Treasurer one-year terms to be elected at the April 21 Anniversary Celebration.

•M/S/C to nominate for re-election to the Board of Directors Dan Heizman, Tom Gebken, Chuck Tarpley and KC Borden for three- year terms to be elected at the April 21 Anniversary Celebration.

•The LMC will survey membership on possible new networking events to be established in the coming year.

•The next Board meeting will be April 6, 2022, 9:30 a.m.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 10:24 a.m.

The LMC Board of Directors meeting Jan. 20 is moving to Zoom due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. The meeting time remains 9:30 a.m. Board members will set the 2022 LMC Issues Agenda and dates for several 2022 events among other business. Please let Bob Jacobi know if there is input before the meeting.

The LMC wishes all a great MLK and Chiefs long weekend. As we honor Dr. King, we remember his perspective on workplace issues and emphasis on the dignity of all work and all workers.

Construction Committee Discusses State Legislation

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, Via Zoom

Attending:  Sam Alpert, Jennifer Borkowski, Greg Davey, Brian Deitz, Jim Dahlin, Zach Dunn, Kevin Gard, Chris Heegn, Kevin Hendrickson,  Dustin Himes, Joe Hudson, Don Hunt, Valerie Johnson, Gabe Jones, Kevin King, Greg Lever, Bill Livingston, Alice Martiny, Bo Moreno, Luke Moylan, Tony Roberts, Bill Tillman, Scott Van Bebber, Tom Wyrsch, Bob Jacobi. Note: if you attended the meeting bur aren’t listed, please let us know)

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

•Session #11 of the Construction Summit:

Discussions with priority school districts have continued, including KCPS and NKCSD.

Crafts and contractors are asked to provide contacts, background and other information that could be helpful for each district, such as membership numbers in the district.  The importance of recruiting and helping school board candidates was also noted.  Committee member Laura Wagner, MO-KAN LECET, has filed for a North Kansas City School Board seat and Aaron Hines, member of Pipefitters Local 533, is running for the school board in the Holden, Mo., district.  Coordination with education unions and other allies is also sought.

•The Missouri legislature has begun bill hearings, including on some bills that restrict employers’ ability to require COVID-19 vaccines or testing.  The LMC provided testimony opposing such limitations.  The bill on congressional redistricting passed out of the House committee yesterday; there are a few changes in the KC area such as containing the 5th CD within Jackson and Clay counties.  Additional small changes in Jackson County, Ray County and St. Louis are likely to be proposed on the House floor.

SB 758, to expand design build options for state government, could be helpful to our contractors giving more quality, rather than just hard bid, tools for state contracts.  SB 942 on home contractor licensing should be watched; another attempt at roofing contractor state licensing is possible and the statewide mechanical contractor licensing bill is being carried by Sen. Koenig this time.

•The Kansas legislature is just getting started.  Gov. Kelly delivered her state-of-the-state address focused on budget issues.

•The city of Kansas City, Mo., is expected to put renewal of the health care sales tax and $750 million in water bonds on the April ballot.  The LMC Board will discuss positions on these issues as well as the LMC 2022 Issues Agenda at its meeting Jan. 20.

•NICE looks forward to the first iBuild in-person since 2019 on April 5 at Bartle Hall.  The Crayons-to-CAD program has resumed with four school districts.

•Upcoming Events:

•LMC Board Meeting, Jan. 20, 9:30 a.m., Fire Fighters Local 42

*CREW KC lunch The Impact of Sports on Commercial Real Estate, Jan. 25, Grand Street Cafe

*DBIA-MAR Kickoff, Jan. 27,2022,  4:30-7:30 p.m., Lockton

•Filing for Missouri primary election begins Feb. 22, 2022 ends March 29

*Midwest Construction Safety Conference, March 10-11, Adams Pointe Conference Center

•iBuild Reception, April 4, 2022

•iBuild Showcase April 5, 2022

•Local elections in Missouri, April 5

*LMC Anniversary Celebration & Awards Dinner April 21, Argosy Casino

*Working Families Friend Texas Hold’um Tournament, April 22

•Missouri legislative session ends, May 13

*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament, June 10

•Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 10-13, 2022, Camden on the Lake

•Primary Elections Aug.2, 2022

*Working Families Friend Cook-oof, Sept. 24

•General Election Nov. 8, 2022

•New Business

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 8:25 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 past LMC Co-Chair and honoree Jim Hadel on being sworn in today as International President of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers. Jim's leadership at Local 20 in Kansas City, of the LMC and of the Tri-County Labor Council for many years makes it unsurprising that he has risen to this position.

Congratulations to the Kansas City Public Schools for regaining full accreditation from the state of Missouri. The district's improvements are the result of hard work by the school board, Kansas City Federation of Teachers Local 691, Superintendent Mark Bedell, many administrators and other staff, parents and community supporters. We look forward to the district continuing its improvement.

Due to the impact of COVID, the Mid-Level Leadership Program is delaying its first Spring session until Jan. 26. The final session will now be March 16.

The LMC Construction Industry Committee meeting Jan. 13, 8 a.m., will move to Zoom due to the increase in COVID infections. We hope to return to in-person at Mark One Electric Co., Inc. in February.