Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, May 11, 2023, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Sam Alpert, Edgar Cooper, Greg Davey, Shawn Delgado, Joey Flickner, Lindsay French, Steve Gercone, Dustin Himes, Matt Johnson, Valerie Johnson, Dominic Klobe, Bo Moreno, Melissa Patterson Hazley, Josh Schmidt, Chris Stanton, Brian Wood, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #20 of the Construction Summit: Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance.
•Presentation from Lindsay French, candidate for KCMO City Council, 2nd District At-Large. Lindsay noted the impact her father’s union membership made on her life. She is a lifelong Northland resident and has worked in public involvement for a landscape company. She focused on four themes—basic services, crime prevention, economic development and housing. Long-term strategic plans are needed to address the root caus of crime as well as more resources for police. Wrap-around services and the opportunity for good jobs that pay prevailing and living wages are needed. Lindsay noted that schools are a source for preparing the future workforce and making sure students are aware of the opportunities for good jobs such as construction.
•Presentation from Melissa Patterson Hazley, candidate for KCMO City Council 3rd District At-Large. Melissa is an optimist. She has worked on recent successful campaigns to renew the KCMO earnings tax, water ands sewer bonds, health levy renewal and others. Melissa is a UMKC faculty member and appreciates that many of the protections and benefits she enjoys are because of unions even though there isn’t one for her current role. Her uncle, Roy Nixon, is a business agent for Teamsters Local 541. She notes there is an information gap about opportunities in the trades and wants to link workers particularly in the urban core with apprenticeship programs so they can access good pay and pension benefits. She serves on economic development boards and that is a strong interest of hers.
•The Missouri legislature is in its final week (adjournment Friday at 6 p.m.). Funding for many key area projects—$2.8 billion for I-70 expansion, $300 million for a new mental health building on hospital hill, $50 million for changes to Arrowhead Stadium for the World Cup among others will generate many construction opportunities. SB 21, unemployment compensation changes, appears unlikely to be debated again. HJR 43, raising the threshold for constitutional amendment votes to 57%, has passed the House and may pass the Senate depending upon Senate filibusters. Anti-transgender legislation passed that may drive away and keep away some workers. HB 316, to improve the historic tax credit, is on the Senate calendar but may not have time to pass with filibusters frequent in the Senate now.
•Kansas passed HB 2350, which makes human trafficking a crime but also includes provisions that could cause problems for immigrant workers. Kansas also passed some anti-trans legislation. The governor vetoed the tax-cut bill. Transportation remains fully funded.
•The Kansas Corporation Commission is open for comment on possible incentives for energy efficiency upgrades. Evergy requests letters of support for the incentives be sent to the KCC. The incentives would help buildings to improve energy efficiency and create work.
•The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has projects available for prevailing wage worker interviews. The LMC seeks volunteer monitors which could be retirees, business agents and contractor employees who can be available to conduct interviews with workers for prevailing wage enforcement. Interviewer contact information can be sent to Bob Jacobi; minimal training will be done before interviewers are sent out. The smaller projects now underway could help prepare for similar efforts on a large KCATA project later this year.
•Brian Wood from OSHA discussed the Safety Stand Down for Trench Safety the week of June 19. Brian also discussed the increasing number of workplace fatalities in the KC region, including trench cases. Many trench cases take place in December. Contact Brian for more information.
•NICE had a successful iBuild Showcase April 28 at Bartle Hall with 49 exhibitors and more than 3,000 students, most from high schools. Sam and Greg reported increased engagement from students versus past years, in part due to stronger interest and in part due to more activity-oriented booths.
•Forums for KCMO City Council candidates will be held June 5, 5:30 p.m. at the Plaza Library hosted by development organizations including the LMC and May 13 at IBEW Local 124, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. focused on labor issues. Attendance is encouraged at both events.
•The Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 9-12 will feature two international union presidents from Kansas City (both former LMC Co-Chairs): Jim Hadel, Roofers, and Kevin Sexton, Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons, as well as Joe Reardon, GKC Chamber of Commerce president and his counterpart in St. Louis. Those planning to attend are encouraged to secure hotel rooms at Camden on the Lake soon as the hotel will fill up. The conference registration site is https://cvent.me/ndN4Ng.
•Upcoming events:
*DBIA Golf tournament, May 12, Shoal Creek
*Missouri legislative session ends May 12
*Labor Beacon City Council Forum, May 13, 11 a.m., IBEW Local 124
*Alliance for Retired Americans Gerald Randall luncheon, May 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Argosy
*Missouri Apprentice Ready Graduation, May 19, noon-1 p.m., IBEW Local 124
*City Council Candidate Forum sponsored by development community June 5, 5:30 p.m., Plaza Library
*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament, Ironhorse Golf Club, June 9
*KCMO City General Election June 20
*BOMA International Convention June 23, 2023
*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 9-12, 2023, Camden on the Lake
*LMC Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament, July 25, Eagles Landing Golf Club
*Kansas City Labor Car & Bike Store, Aug. 19, 9 a.m., Azura Amphitheater
*LMC Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 21, Saddle & Sirloin
*LMC Public Officials Reception Oct. 12, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
*NICE Annual Luncheon Oct. 17, 2023, Bartle Hall
•The KCMO election is June 20. Not many voters may be aware so getting out the word is crucial. There will be debates leading up to the election—Saturday, May 13, a labor-focused forum at IBEW Local 124 11 a.m., and June 5, 5:30 p.m. at the Plaza Library where development and housing will be emphasized. The LMC is a sponsor of the June 5 forum.
•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, June 8, 2023, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
•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.