Mid-America Labor/Management Conference “One of the Best Yet” Features International Union Presidents, Chamber Leaders

More than 140 labor, business and government leaders from throughout the region gathered to learn and network at the 37th Mid-America Labor/Management Conference earlier this month at Camden on the Lake. Photos are available at left under the album 2023 MALMC.

Several themes ran throughout the conference—the challenge of workforce development and diversity, the tremendous opportunities from recent federal infrastructure legislation and demand for economic development and the need to keep up with changing times.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Field Operations Manager Walter Darr ([email protected]) welcomed attendees and updated them on FMCS’ leadership, new services and partnerships and emphasized the availability of FMCS commissioners in the region to help address labor-management issues. He emphasized that the agency provides trainings, negotiation aid for both traditional and interest-based bargaining and other services.

The conference was keynoted by two international union presidents who began their careers in the conference’s region. Kevin Sexton, International President of the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons International Association, and Jim Hadel, International President of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers, both came out of Kansas City-area locals before joining their international union staffs. Both also served as secretary-treasurer of the Missouri State Building and Construction Trades, noted Tim Green, past Missouri state senator and state building trades president. Both helped “mentor me” at the state building trades and showed their leadership skills, Green said. Bob Jacobi, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City and conference co-chair, noted both served as LMCGKC co-chairs and showed their significant abilities and commitment.

Hadel said that the most pressing issue for his union is “recruitment of young men and women into the industry. It’s not a challenge, but an opportunity to grow.” Labor and management need to “be on the same page, with the same message” about the opportunities in the industry, he said, to get the right message. Retention is also critical, Hadel noted, and emphasizing that the industry can be a career with its strong wages and benefits can help. All new Roofers’ apprenticeship applicants get a letter from him outlining the benefits of being a union Roofer.

The union has also invested $250,000 in a mobile training center, focused on diversity in recruiting and began working closely with school counselors.

He also cited the need to improve union leadership, and the Roofers have established classes for new business managers and representatives. Leaders should be professional and understand the skills and new tools to e successful, Hadel emphasized.

Sexton cited his pride in the KC and Mid-America region, and that he was able to attend the White House ceremony recognizing the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win. He pointed out other OPCMIA leaders attending the conference including Alise Martiny, International Vice President and past conference speaker, attendee and supporter. He pointed out new leadership at the international including Martiny. Sexton said he first came into union leadership in 1993 on the local executive board and has continued a “fun ride” since.

Sexton also noted the critical role of workshop development. The union has created virtual reality training, focused on safety and skill competitions. “It’s a great time to be in the industry” he said. The union has also begun implementing paid maternity leave for the first time, critical for recruiting women to the field. Organizing is the top priority, he said. “We must train and grow. We don’t plan to be a dinosaur” he said.

Workforce development is also a critical priority for Leah Rambo, assistant director of the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau ([email protected]). A former apprenticeship director for a sheet metal workers union local in New York, Rambo is used to being a “first” as a black woman. WIth billions of dollars in projects in the pipeline, Rambo noted that the work cannot get done with the current workforce. She agreed with Hadel and Sexton that recruitment is vital, and to staff the jobs a diverse workforce will be necessary. To help with that, the Women’s Bureau is applying data analysis, grant programs and partnerships. She noted that child care must be enhanced to access the needed workers. “The younger generation is not like us” she said. “We must adjust to changing times—they want work-life balance, to be gentler in how we speak to each other for example” Rambo pointed out. And US DOL is here to help.”

Hadel added that programs such as Women Build Nations generate “amazing energy” the industry can use to attract and retain younger workers, especially women.

A significant change to the Missouri workplace arrived this year with the implementation of legal recreation marijuana. Senior Training Consultant John Throckmorton, C-SAPA of Tomo Drug Testing ([email protected]) and Matt Robinson, principal with HesseMartone ([email protected]), explained the complications and possible solutions to incorporating the legalization into workplace issues.

Throckmorton explained the difference between Delta 9 and Delta 8 cannabis-derived materials and the legal and testing implications. He noted there is no proven test for marijuana impairment, the long time frame marijuana can be found in the blood and drug testing impacts. The critical consideration is safety: what the impact of using THC products on worker and customer safety? He provided a checklist for helping determine impairment. Saliva tests are becoming more capable than blood tests for finding THC present.

Robinson noted the differences in the legal situation in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. Illinois has had legal recreational as well as medical marijuana for several years, Missouri is just starting with legal recreational, Kansas is one for the few states where no use Is legal and the federal government continues to regard it as illegal. And Missouri and Illinois have different standards for exceptions where one can be disciplined for a positive test. Zero tolerance policies are no longer practical, though he agreed that there is no accepted level for impairment. Companies with federal contracts also must look at compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act when setting policies.

The economic health of the Mid-America region is often driven by the biggest metro areas. Jason Hall, Greater St. Louis Inc. executive director and Joe Reardon, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce president provided exciting overviews of the economic progress in their areas. St. Louis consolidated five organizations into one for improved focus and directing of resources into Greater St. Louis, Hall noted, and the change is already generating results. He highlighted several large projects coming to and being considered for the St. Louis area that will preserve and create thousands of jobs. Examples include the $2 billion US national geospace agency project. Area organizations—including governments, companies, unions and others—are now collaborating to retain and attract jobs rather than competing. Revitalizing the urban core and downtown are key priorities, as well as a new airport as Kansas City has done. Hall cited the BUD workforce development program by St. Louis area building trades as model. He noted that greater cooperation from the Missouri legislature would be helpful.

Reardon praised Kansas City’s transformation, beginning with the renovation of Union Station through the recent new $1.5 billion airport, NFL Draft, the world’s first soccer stadium geared to women players and upcoming World Cup among other developments. Cooperation among government, business and labor is key to attracting developments, Reardon pointed out. The next phase of improvements will focus on transit such as streetcar expansions already underway and studies for how to best enhance east-west transit. Another key driver is immigration, as the Chamber supports a welcoming approach to incorporating immigrants into workforce development. A significant challenge—also mentioned by Hall—is violent crime. KC has a new police chief as a start to addressing that issue. For all of the issues, each of the affected groups needs representation at the table to find solutions, Reardon pointed out.

In a workshop for benefit fund fiduciaries, Bill Miller of Novak Birks ([email protected]) explained the strongly pro-union provisions for qualifying for tax cuts and incentives under the federal IRA and BIL acts. Further details were explained by
Piper O’Keefe, Policy Analyst for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Jobs (piper.o’[email protected]) and Hannah Humphrey, deputy director for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (Hannah.humphrey)dnr.mo.gov). O’Keefe provided details for qualifying for the federal incentives and Humphrey noted the state of Missouri programs managed by the Department of Natural Resources.

Similar opportunities are being offered in Missouri and Kansas through their Departments of Transportation. In Missouri, a $2.8 billion project to rebuild I-70 statewide was discussed by I-70 Project Director Eric Kopinski ([email protected]). He said that the process for letting bids will proceed quickly. With the Kansas Eisenhower transportation program now receiving its full funding Tony Menke, bureau chief of construction and materials for the Kansas Department of Transportation ([email protected]), many large projects are now moving forward as well.

Rapid changes in labor law were addressed by Jake Miller, Grissom & Miller ([email protected]), and Chris Johnson, Evergy ([email protected]). They discussed a few recent cases from the National Labor Relations Board and the U.S. Supreme Court in areas cut as noncompete clauses, worker monitoring, companies who claim damages from union jobs actions, non disparagement, the determination of employee versus independent contractor and more. Both pointed out that political swings can make big differences in who is appointed to the NLRB and judgeships and thus can determine th environment unions and management must operate in. Votes do count!

Trends in labor arbitrations were discussed by arbitrator Colleen White, Strategic Workplace Solutions ([email protected]), and attorneys Scott Brown, Blake and Uhlig ([email protected]) representing labor and by Jennifer Hill, McDonald Tinker ([email protected]) representing management.

Compliance with unemployment and workers compensation laws often hinges on the definition of an employee, explained James Pinkston, Tax Manager, Missouri Department of Labor Employment Security Division ([email protected]) and Charles Crandall, investigator for the Missouri Department of Labor Employment Security Division ([email protected]). Both urged workers, unions and employers to report suspicions of fraud to their departments quickly. Reports can be anonymous and should include as much detail as possible.

Population health and post-COVID challenges were among the themes when three insurer medical directors presented to the conference. Dr. Ravi Johor, chief medical officer for United Health Care ([email protected]), noted where Missouri and Kansas rank on the study of healthy states (neither one very good though with a few bright spots). Dr. Ayo Ajaiyeoba, vice president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City ([email protected]), pointed out that while organizations rightly focus on the small percent of insured whose conditions generate significant percentages of health care costs, focus should also be put on the vast majority of plan members whose actions can reduce the risk of getting chronic conditions. Dr. Marco Vitiello, regional medical director for Cigna Taft-Hartley ([email protected]), discussed the impact of gene-therapy pharmaceuticals coming to the market. These are highly expensive but offer new cures. The approach to coverage for such therapies needs to be discussed by all parties as their impact will be significant.

As many speakers noted, increasing diversity in the workforce is needed to meet the demand for workers. Incorporating more diverse workforces presents challenges. A session focused on humans’ natural tendency for many kinds of bias provided a background for improving attraction and retention of a diverse workforce. The discussions led by Stephanie Haynes, Federal Mediation and Conciliation commissioner ([email protected]), Bret Bonge, Evergy labor relations lead and conference co-chair ([email protected]) and Leah Rambo, U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau deputy director.

Self-awareness of bias can help avoid mistakes. The session emphasized that bias is a human thing, that everyone can adapt their brain to make decisions minimizing bias through techniques such as making a checklist of the desired traits in a job applicant and there are many biases beyond those that are legally restricted that can affect decisions.

With the transition to more clean energy and climate change having a significant impact on the economy and labor-management relationships, Zach Monroe, Ameren senior legislative representative, ([email protected]) and Jason Humphrey, Evergy vice president of development (Jason,[email protected]) explained current developments and key issues.

Monroe explained the Right of First Refusal proposal in Missouri, which would allow utilities to have the first chance to control the building of new transmission lines in their territories. A bill advanced but did not pass in the Missouri legislature to establish the right. Advantages of the right include ensuring coordination between the transmission lines and affected utilities, consideration of local customers and residents and more opportunity for local contractors and workers on the projects. Opponents fear that the right would increase costs and thus utility rates though the impact on rates would be minimal according to Monroe.

Humphrey also noted the federal legislation providing opportunities to build clean energy projects and requirements such as prevailing wage and apprenticeship programs to receive full incentives. He discussed Energy’s plan for moving towards more clean energy and the challenges especially for the current grid. Electric vehicles also will present challenges to the grid though Evergy is rapidly developing programs to provide more charging stations.

Benefit funds have opportunities to improve their offerings and all-union projects can generate investment support from ULLICO, noted Bill Krystalyn, ULLICO Midwest regional sales manager ([email protected]) ULLICO has invested in many projects with the involvement of benefit funds, which generates good returns for the funds and more hours for fund members.

Leah Rambo led a workshop explaining the many programs and services of the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau. She also discussed the challenges of a more diverse workforce and her experiences as an apprentice training director.

The Missouri State Building and Construction Trades Council held its meeting during the conference, hearing from industry and government leaders.

Conference sponsors include lead sponsors Ameren and Evergy; banquet sponsor Aetna; luncheon sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Cigna and United Healthcare; opening reception sponsor Novak Birks PC and other sponsors Bank of Labor, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Grissom & Miller, Humana, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City, Missouri AFL-CIO, Onsite Logic, St. Louis Electrical Connection IBEW-NECA, SolidaritUS and ULLICO.

The conference planning committee reelected co-chairs Bret Bonge, Evergy, and Bob Jacobi, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City and treasurer Tom Johnson of Bank of Labor. The board also elected Dawn Nicklas, Nicklas Lobby, as treasurer. Planning committee members also include Jake Hummel, Missouri AFL-CIO; Duke Dujakovich, Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO; Tim Green, St. Louis Electrical Connection IBEW-NECA; Jay Lind, Sheet Metal Workers Local 2; Julie Menghini, Kansas Department of Labor; Ralph Oropeza, Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council; Leroy Skinner, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; and Stephanie Haynes, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The conference thanked retiring committee members John Garretson, IBEW Local 304; Barbara Rumph, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and Bobby Thompson, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

The 2024 conference will return to Camden on the Lake July 7-10. For more information contact [email protected] or any planning committee member.