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.
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