The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City (LMC) honored Kansas City, Mo. Mayor Quinton Lucas and Rockhurst University President Thomas Curran, S.J., at its 43rd Anniversary Celebration and 22nd Awards Dinner at Argosy Casino April 22. Photos can be found at left under Photo Album 2022 43rd Anniversary Celebration and 22nd Awards.

The 200 attendees also learned about the Missouri Works Initiative of the Missouri AFL-CIO from its executive director Greta Bax. Missouri Works includes components for worker wellness, dislocated worker support, Apprentice-Ready and Building Union diversity programs to eliminate barriers to economic opportunities by connecting Missourians to the necessary resources to build life-sustaining careers. More information is available at moworksinitiative.org; Twitter @Missouri-Works, Facebook @MIssouriWorksInitiative and Instagram @missouriworks for employers and workers who can benefit from its services.

Bax shared several examples in Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield of people whose lives have been dramatically changed by Missouri Works services. An information session for the Apprentice-Ready program in Kansas City will be held April 29.

Lucas received the Leadership in Labor-Management Cooperation Award for his outstanding support of labor-management collaboration, for city employees and for all workers in the region. He has often participated in LMC events been an ally for the LMC’s concerns. Lucas noted that all Kansas Citians benefit from the efforts of organized labor and businesses in the city.

Curran, who is retiring as Rockhurst president, was recognized with the Service to the LMC award. During his 15 years as Rockhurst president, he has supported the Rockhurst-based LMC and its mission. He cited the LMC’s mission as one congruent with that of the Jesuit, Catholic mission of Rockhurst and cited the Jesuit principles of conversation that are part of both the way Rockhurst and the LMC operate.

The LMC also elected Bret Bonge, Evergy, as management co-chair succeeding Greg Davey, Builders’ Association who continues on the Board of Directors and was recognized at the event. Dan Heizman, Fire Fighters Local 42 was elected labor vice co-chair and Jimmy Walker, Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department was elected management vice co-chair. Alise Martiny, Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council, was re-elected secretary and Don Greenwell, Builders’ Association, was re-elected as treasurer. Board members re-elected included Tom Gebken, CWA Local 6360; Chuck Tarpley, Plumbers Local 8, and KC Borden, NECA-KC.

Graduates of the 2021-22 Mid-Level Leadership Program received their certificates at the event. Graduates include Arika Bandy, William Goff Jr. and Marquan Washington, city of Kansas City, Mo.; Michelle Cantrell, Enerfab; Lee Cross, Cross Law Firm; Jon Doughty, Wade Kiefer, Ben Schilling and Jose Sustaita, IBEW Local 124; Chris Head, Superior Electrical Construction; Kyle Hendricks and Jacob Powell, Fire Fighters Local 42; and Dustin Himes, Bricklayers Local 15.

Volunteers playing a crucial role in the event were Jennifer Borkowski, Humana, and Mary Jacobi. Sponsors making the celebration possible included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Builders’ Association, Cigna and IBEW Local 124, Founding level; Cross Law Firm, Anniversary level; Grissom & Miller Law Firm, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663, JE Dunn Construction Co., Laborers Local 264, Missouri AFL-CIO, Pipefitters Local 533 and Power Partners, Awards level; and CWA Local 6360, FCI Advisors and Painters District Council 3, Supporter level.

The LMC also announced that the 25th annual Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament will be held July 26 at Eagles Landing Golf Club. Other upcoming events include the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 10-13 at Camden on the Lake, Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 15 at Saddle & Sirloin Club and the Public Officials Reception with co-host BOMA-KC Oct. 13 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

A door prize of tickets to the next Kansas City Ballet performance was won by Jacob Powell, Fire Fighters Local 42.

The LMC is a nonprofit based at Rockhurst University. Its mission is to enhance collaboration and trust between labor and management in the community. More information is available at http://labormanagementkc.typepad.com and [email protected].

Details for the Missouri Works Initiative’s Missouri Apprentice Ready event in Kansas City on April 29:

Missouri Apprentice Ready Lunch and Learn Event
Join our team to learn more about our FREE, 5-week construction training program that prepares participants to enter a U.S. Department of Labor registered construction apprenticeship!

Date: Friday, April 29th
Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm CDT
Event Location: University of Missouri Kansas City Welcome Center
(Pierson Auditorium) 5000 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64110

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Join the Missouri Apprentice Ready Information Session to learn more about Kansas City's new construction training program! This free job training program is open to those 18 years and older who are interested in a job in the skilled trades. This program is designed to support women, veterans, persons of color, and others who are interested in learning about various career opportunities in the construction trade industry.

We are inviting you and your organization to attend this informational session because we believe your organization could be a great partner in helping Kansas City grow and diversify the workforce pipeline in the skilled trades. Please join us to learn more about this new program.

Click here to learn more: Missouri Apprentice Ready Information Session

Thank you for your support!
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Rudy M Chavez
Kansas City Coordinator,
Missouri Apprentice Ready Program
(816) 806-1840