The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC Board of Directors unanimously approved the 2024 Issues Agenda. Public policy involvement helped spur the LMC's founding and continues to be an avenue to building better relationships and improving our community. The 2024 agenda:

2024 LMC Issues Agenda

The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City was born with a labor-management collaboration on a key public issue of mutual concern. In the 45 years since, the LMC has found labor-management consensus on hundreds of public issue positions at the federal, state and local levels. To take a position, the LMC requires that at least 75% of board members from both labor and management agree. The agenda below reflects the consensus views of our Board for 2024:

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 changes in unemployment compensation contained in SB 745 and companion House bills that reduce benefits based on the statewide unemployment rate.
•The LMC supports state of Missouri matching funding for the Health Sciences Development District.
•The LMC supports extension of the Federal Reimbursement Allowance for Medicaid
•The LMC supports data-supported initiatives to make the community safer such as Blairs’ Law
•The LMC supports measures to improve access to affordable, quality child care and early childhood
education
•The LMC supports reductions in sales taxes on items essential to workers and families
Watch: Unemployment Insurance, Workers Compensation, Utility Rates & Energy Capacity, Education/Kansas City School District, Prompt Pay and Retainage on Construction Projects, Initiative Petition Process Changes.

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.
•The LMC supports measures to improve access to affordable, quality child care and early childhood education
•The LMC supports reductions in sales taxes on items essential to workers and families

Local
•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 renewal of the 3/8ths cent Jackson County sales tax for stadiums
Watch: Possible Kansas City, Mo., Public Safety Sales Tax increase; Energy Codes

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets on Thursday, Feb. 8, 8 a.m. at Mark One Electric Co., Inc. Jaimie Guillen, director of KCMO CREO, will speak.

Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on the AFC Championship! We can't wait for the Super Bowl.

The Labor-Management Council is pleased to announce that its 45th Anniversary Celebration and 24th Awards Dinner will be held on Thursday, April 25, at Argosy Casino. Reservations and sponsorships can be made now, as can nominations for the two awards that will be announced and presented that night.

Reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with the dinner and program starting at 7:30 p.m. The LMC will also conduct its annual meeting at 7:30 p.m. The Board of Directors has nominated the following slate:

Vice Co-Chair, Management—Chris Stanton
Secretary—Ralph Oropeza
Treasurer—Greg Davey
Board of Directors—Rocky Kloth

Additional nominations for board positions could be made at the April 17 board meeting or from the floor at the dinner. If you are interested in serving please contact me or a board member.

For reservation and sponsorship forms, contact [email protected]. And to see photos from past celebrations, check out the photo albums at left.

The LMC thanks the Jackson County Legislature for putting the stadium tax extension on the April 2 ballot. We look forward to the resolution of outstanding issues and a vigorous campaign. We appreciate County Executive Frank White's negotiation of a better deal for taxpayers and the community and the votes of legislators Manny Abarca, Veronica Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee, Sean Smith, Jalen Anderson and Donna Peyton in favor of putting the issue on the ballot.

The LMC urges the Jackson County legislature today to put the proposed 3/8 cent sales tax renewal for stadiums on the April 2 ballot. The legislature meets at 3 p.m.

The LMC mourns the death of Mike Stapp, Blake & Uhlig and firmer general counsel for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. Visitation will be Jan. 24, 10 a.m. and funeral at noon at Alden-Harrington Funeral Home in Bonner Springs. The family suggests contributions to Children’s Mercy Hospital in lieu of flowers.

LMC Board Sets 2024 Events, Issues Agenda and Officers

Summary of Minutes

LMC Board of Directors Meeting

Jan. 17, 2024 • 9:30 a.m. • Builders’ AGC 720 Oak KCMO

Attending:  Greg Davey, Ed Downey, Tom Gebken, Rocky Kloth, Bo Moreno, Bob Jacobi

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

•M/S/C to approve the Financial Report subject to audit.

•Welcome to new members Kissick Co. and Heartland Women in Trades, and return to membership Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and Mechanical Contractors Association.

•M/S/C to approve the 2024 Issues Agenda subject to board approval of language for new positions.  See attached draft agenda

•M/S/C to hold the 45th Anniversary Celebration, 24th Awards Dinner and annual meeting April 25 at Argosy Casino.

•M/S/C to hold the 27th Craig Whitaker Memorial LMC Golf Tournament July 23 at Eagles’ Landing.

•M/S/C to hold the 5th Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 12 at Saddle & Sirloin.

•Dates options in October are being considered for the 2024 Public Officials Reception at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.  The 2023 generated strong attendance and record sponsorship in the larger space at the center.

•A committee was formed to plan a new family-friendly event including corn hole and barbecue contests.  Ed Downey and Greg Davey will serve on the committee.  IBEW Local 124 will be looked at as the location.

•A new event featuring topics of interest to all LMC members will begin in the Spring with a format similar to the Construction Committee.

•M/S/C to nominate Chris Stanton as Vice Co-Chair, Management; Ralph Oropeza, Secretary; Greg Davey, Treasurer; and Rocky Kloth, Board of Directors for election at the annual meeting April 25.  (Jimmy Walker will become Management Co-Chair).

•M/S/C to elect Rocky Kloth to the Board of Directors to fill the vacancy created by Joe Hudson’s retirement, with an expiration in April 2024.

•The next Board Meeting will be April 17, 2024, 9:30 a.m. at the Builders’ AGC pending availability.

•M/S/ C to adjourn at 11 a.m.

Construction Committee Praises Jackson County Stadium Ballot Issue

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending: Sam Alpert, Tristin Amezcua-Hogan, Greg Chastain, Rudy Chavez, Greg Davey, Brian Dietz, Jon Doughty, Joey Flickner, Andrew Herrera, Dustin Himes, Gabe Jones, Wade Kiefer, Dominick Klobe, Rocky Kloth, Chuck Martin, Ralph Oropeza, Tony Roberts, Chuck Roseburrough, Cameron Seip, Brian Wood, Bob Jacobi.

•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.

•Session #26 of the Construction Summit:  Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance.

•Welcome to Andrew Herrera, Painters District Council, attending his first meeting.

•The Missouri legislature began its session last week.  SB 745 was heard yesterday in the Senate General Laws Committee; the bill would shorten the duration of unemployment benefits based on the state’s overall unemployment rate.  The LMC opposed a similar bill last year as it would have a negative impact on workforce retention in the construction industry.  Kansas Gov. Kelly issued her state of the state address and again emphasizes Medicaid expansion, which the LMC supports.  Tax issues are likely to dominate the Kansas session.

•The Jackson County legislature voted to put a renewal of the 3/8th cent sales tax for stadiums on the April 2 ballot.  The April vote will be critical to the projects moving forward and getting potential state funding as well.  Many LMC members advocated for putting the issue on the ballot, and a community benefits agreement for construction of a new Royals stadium is being developed.   A strong effort will be needed to pass the issue; both the Chiefs and the Royals are supporting it.

Brian Dietz thanked and praised the KC labor community for its hard work and advocacy on behalf of the stadium issue as well as other community and public policy issues.  He noted that this is a watershed moment where labor is effectively advocating and noted the bi-partisan vote in favor of the stadium ballot issue on the legislature.

Ralph Oropeza also noted the passage, bi-partisan and unanimous, of a responsible construction bidder ordinance by Jackson County.  The ordinance will help ensure a fair process for responsible contractors and better value for the County.  The ordinance is a model that other municipalities, counties and schools districts can adopt in both Missouri and Kansas.

•The World Cup coming to Kansas City in 2026 means that needed renovations to Arrowhead Stadium will likely begin this year.  The state of Missouri allocated $50 million for the renovations.  Additional legislation and funding in both states is being sought to help the massive event be a success.

•NICE’s iBuild will be April 2 at Bartle Hall, returning to the larger space.  Nate Zier is transitioning to succeed Greg Lever, who is taking a position at Avila University.  Nate will attend a meeting soon to discuss his vision for NICE.

•Ralph Oropeza noted the growth and success of the Missouri Works program, managed in Kansas City by Rudy Chavez.  The program is now recruiting for its next cohorts and already has 80 applications for 14 spot but welcomes more applicants.  It is the key program available to send prospective apprenticeship candidates to prepare them to choose and qualify for apprenticeship programs.

•The Construction Working Minds Summit will be held Feb. 26-29 at the Westin Crown Center.  To connect the dots among other wellbeing, health and safety priorities and mental health (e.g.,
DEI, physical health, etc.).  The Summit’s goals are to connect the dots among other well being, health and safety priorities and mental health, to share lessons learned in building industry capacity and scaling implementation, and to strengthen strategic alliances across the movement and establish collaborative partnerships.  Sponsors include the UA and SMART.  Details are available at https://constructionworkingminds.org/summit 

In addition a session will be held Feb. 26 at IBEW Local 53 with Dr. John Gaal on how to spot mental health issues at construction sites.  More details coming soon.

•OSHA continues to offer trainings and support but Brian Wood noted that if the federal government fails to pass a continuing resolution for funding by Jan. 19, the agency will only be able to respond to imminent safety issues until funding is restored.  OSHA has new injury reporting requirements that contractors and unions should be aware of.

•Upcoming Events:(For details on these events, please contact the sponsoring group or LMC)

*Missouri Labor Law Event on Modernizing Apprenticeships, John Gaal speaker, in St. Louis or online, Jan 17, 8:30 a.m., contact Matt Pezold [email protected]

*LMC Board Meeting, Jan. 17, 9:30 a.m.

*NLRB Presentation on 2023 Election Rule Procedure Changes, Jan. 17, 9:30 a.m., NLRB office 8600 Farley Street, Overland Park.

*KC DBIA-MAR Kickoff Jan. 25, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Lockton

*Working Families Friends Casino Night, Feb. 2, 6-10 p.m., 1222 W 12th St KCMO

*Mayors Prayer Breakfast-Pat McCown speaker, Feb. 13, 7:30 a.m., Kay Barnes Ballroom

*Builders’Anniversary Event, Feb. 15

*Midwest Construction Safety Conference March 19-22

*NICE iBuild Reception, April 1 (no fooling)

*NICE iBuild April 2, 2024, Bartle Hall

*Working Families Friend Texas Holdem Tournament, April 19

*LMC Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner, April 25, Argosy Casino

*Workers Memorial Day event, April 26

*Builders’ Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament May 6

*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament June 14

*FMCS/LERA National Conference, June 26-30, 2024, New York

*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 7-10, Camden on the Lake

*Builders’ Member Summer Party, July 17

*LMC Craig Whitaker Golf Tournament July 23, Eagles Landing

*Construction Innovation Expo. Sept 17

*Working Families Friend Fall Cook-Off, Sept. 21

*Builders’ Holiday Party Dec. 12

•The next committee meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.  with Jaimie Guillen, City of Kansas City, Mo., as speaker.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 9  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.

A reminder of the LMC Construction Industry Committee meeting tomorrow Thursday, Jan. 10, 8 a.m. at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

The LMC mourns the passing of Ed Smith, former International leader with the Laborers and CEO of Ullico. A strong leader with a record of accomplishment with both the Laborers and Ullico as well as public service appointments, Ed will be missed.