LMC Honors Patten, Davey; Learns about USDOL Labor-Management Partnership Program

The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City (LMC) celebrated its 44th Anniversary by learning more about the U.S. Department of Labor’s Labor-Management Partnership Program, honoring several leaders and electing new officers April 13.

Photos from the event can be found in the album 44th Anniversary Celebration at the left.

Nearly 200 leaders from labor, management and the community gathered at Argosy Casino for the event, also the LMC’s 23rd Awards Dinner. The event focused on the LMC’s mission to enhance collaboration by solidifying trust and communication between labor and management in the community and the benefits of that mission for organizations and workers.

Two leaders of the U.S. DOL’s Labor-Management Partnership Project praised the LMC and described the project as the event’s keynote address. Darnice Marsh, Labor-Management Partnership Coordinator, and Andrew Hasty, Senior Advisor with the U.S. DOL, noted the long success of the LMC as a great example for others. They described the purpose of the project as using the “bully pulpit” of the Department to encourage and provide resources to labor-management cooperation projects throughout the nation. The project is within the Department’s Office of Labor-Management Standards and provides a website, numerous blogs and other resources to help those looking to start or improve a partnership.

Details of the program and resources available can be found at https://dol.gov/general/workcenter/labor-management-partnerships , while stories can be shared at https://dol.gov/workcenter/stories2 . Hasty gathered examples from celebration attendees as well.

The LMC honored Brad Patten, executive director of the Construction Industry Substance Abuse Program (CISAP) with the Leadership in Labor-Management Cooperation Award. Builders’ Association AGC President Don Greenwell noted that CISAP “has set a national benchmark for such programs” for nearly two decades. CISAP is "one of the largest multi-craft, multi employer initiatives in the nation, providing pre-employment, for-cause, post-accident and random drug screening” that has “undoubtedly avoided accidents and injuries and very likely has saved lives on job sites” Greenwell added.

Greg Davey, Builders’ Association vice president for labor relations, earned the Service to the Labor-Management Council award. “Greg has served as a very active board member, provided leadership as Co-Chair and agreed to continue serving as Treasurer” of the LMC, noted LMC Executive Director Bob Jacobi.

Outgoing LMC officers were also recognized. Gabe Jones, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663, was honored for his service as LMC Co-Chair. “Gabe has been an involved and creative Co-Chair” Jacobi noted.

Aiise Martiny was thanked for her 11 years as LMC Secretary. She leaves the board to become International Vice President for the Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons. “The LMC is so important” she said. “Without the LMC, we would not have had the success on projects like the Loews Hotel or KCI.” Jacobi noted that Martiny first became engaged with the LMC as a participant in the Mid-Level Leadership Program. “It was clear she was destined to be a real leader” he said. She served the past 11 years as Business Manager for the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council.

Don Greenwell was recognized for his 15 years as LMC Treasurer. His service was a “team effort” he noted, as the Builders’ Association provides accounting services for the LMC. “Tony Drees, Erica Jenkins and Connie Kapfer have done great work” supporting the LMC he pointed out. “Don has been a terrific board leader” Jacobi said. “He has been a great leader for the industry and community as well.”

Succeeding Jones as Co-Chair, Labor is Dan Heizman, president of Fire Fighters Local 42. Ralph Oropeza succeeds Martiny as Secretary just as he succeeded her as Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council business manager. Greenwell is succeeded by Greg Davey.

The LMC re-elected Mike Kane, AFL-CIO Tri-County Labor Council of Eastern Kansas, to the Executive Committee and Clarence Brown, United Auto Workers Local 31 president and Mike Keeran, Teamsters Local 541 business manager, to the Board. Ed Downey, Capital Electric Construction president, was newly elected to the Board. Bret Bonge, Evergy, continues another year as Co-Chair, Management and Jimmy Walker, Kansas City, Mo. Fire Department continues as Vice Co-Chair, Management.

The LMC recently graduated a class of Mid-Level Leadership Program participants, and graduate Chuck Roseburrough, Pipefitters Local 533, was presented with his graduation certificate. The program has helped more than 400 leaders from labor, management and the community since 1985. Dates for the next program cohort will be announced this summer.

Founding Sponsors for the event included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, the Builders’ Association AGC, Cigna. and IBEW Local 124  Awards Sponsors were Grissom & Miller Law Firm, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663, JE Dunn Construction Co., Laborers Local 264, Laborers Local 1290, Pipefitters Local 533, Power Partners and Sheet Metal Workers Local 2.  Supporters wer Garry and Sue Kemp.  Emilia Rivera and Mary Jacobi were volunteers.

Jacobi noted that a celebration of life will be held for JD Foster, the 2nd Co-Chair, Labor for the LMC, at Sheet Metal Workers Local 2 at 2 p.m. April 15. Foster was a key leader in the LMC’s early days as business manager for Local 2.

Future events were also announced at the celebration:

•Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 9-12 at Camden on the Lake. Speakers will include former LMC Co-Chairs Jim Hadel, Roofers International President, and Kevin Sexton, Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons International President. Other speakers include Chamber of Commerce CEOs Joe Reardon from Kansas City and Jason Hall from Greater St. Louis.

•26th Craig Whitaker Memorial LMC Golf Tournament July 26 at Eagles Landing Golf Club

•Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 21 at Saddle and Sirloin Club

•Public Officials Reception co-hosted with BOMA-KC Oct. 12 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

The LMC is a nonprofit organization based at Rockhurst University. More details are available from [email protected] and this blog.