The 38th Mid-America Labor/Management Conference gathered more than 130 labor, management and government leaders from Missouri, Kansas and other states to enhance their skills and build stronger relationships July 7-10, 2024 at Camden on the Lake. Photos can be found in the photo album MALMC 2024 at left.

Launching the conference’s content, Leroy Skinner of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service explained the many ways the agency can help labor and management. FMCS has been a strong supporter of the conference since its founding.

Keynote speaker Rob Marriott highlighted the ways labor and management can work better together especially in workforce development. A retired executive from US Engineering and former Sheet Metal Workers member, Marriott pointed out that when contractors and unions invest in workers, the payoff is significant for everyone. He praised the increased emphasis on safety in the unionized construction industry in recent years as well as a new appreciation for the importance of mental health.

MALMC recognized Jay Lind, Sheet Metal Workers Local 2, for his years of outstanding service to the conference. Key support from Jay and Local 2 was critical to the conference’s survival when the state of Missouri was no longer able to provide logistical support. Jay retired in July from Local 2 and from the MALMC planning committee.

The conference also hosted a unique, first-time event: a joint presentation from Chamber of Commerce leaders from the St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield regions. Each of the Chamber presidents highlighted key economic projects and challenges:

•Jason Hall from Greater St. Louis, Inc., noted the increased success in competing for and attracting significant economic development since several groups merged into one and developed a unified agenda. The Boeing plant expansion, planned rebuild of Lambert airport and a 27% decrease in crime are among the accomplishments. Challenges include increased vacancies in Downtown and the need for further improvements in public safety.

•Joe Reardon from the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce noted a sports theme: the construction of the new stadium for women’s soccer, the likelihood of new and/or renovated football and baseball stadiums and the 2026 World Cup among other projects such as a multibillion dollar battery plant are driving growth, while challenges include crime and a resolution to the football and baseball stadiums after voters rejected a sales tax extension.

•Matt Morrow from the Springfield Chamber of Commerce noted the area’s diverse economy and longtime manufacturing, education and tourism bases now with an added health care focus. Like the others he cited workforce development as critical to continued growth and added that economic development in any of the three markets means good things for all as well as the states of Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.

A vital element of workforce development is the increasing diversity of available workers. Bias and Inclusion: Understanding Actions and Behaviors featured an explanation of how natural bias can impact our decisions if we aren’t aware of our own biases and concrete steps that can be taken by individuals and organizations. Stephanie Haynes and Madeline Colas of FMCS provided the guide to addressing bias while Jim Hadel, International President of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers and Jose Gomez, business manager of Laborers Local 110 outlined specific programs they are implementing to better attract and retain more women and workers of color. Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship are also great tools as another session led by Megan Price, Missouri Works and Donna Brake, State of Missouri Department of Higher Education Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning, demonstrated with programs and support resources available for companies and unions.

A healthy workforce is essential and ways to keep workers and there families healthy were provided by Dr. Ayo Ajaiyeoba, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City; Dr. Ravi Johar, United Healthcare; Dr. Marco Vitiello, Cigna and Rick Dade, Solidaritus/America’s Agenda. Kim L’Heureux, IBEW Local 58 president, passionately addressed the opioid crisis and its impact at work. She provided ways to spot opioid abuse and cans of NARCAN to each participant for access in their workplace.

Jake Miller of Grissom Miller and Chris Johnson of Evergy detailed the most significant changes from the National Labor Relations Board and recent Supreme Court and other court decisions. Barry Grissom of Grissom Miller detailed changes in the new Kansas Workers Compensation law developed and passed with bi-partisan, labor and management support.

Economic and legal changes also impact how money is invested especially for retirement and how they are managed within Taft-Hartley funds. Brad Stephens, Stephens-Heffner Financial Partners and Mark Rogers, Scarborough Alliance, emphasized diversity and education in making decisions on retirement investments. Bill Miller, Novak Birks and Bank of Labor, and Stephanie Jones, Anders CPA+ Advisors, focused on fiduciary responsibility and accountability for Taft-Hartley trustees.

Accountability and precautions are also necessary dealing with members’ data, emphasized Tim New, Onsite Logic, and Marsha Woodward, Haynes Benefits. Each provided specific steps to take to protect organizations’ data and ensure compliance with legal and ethical requirements.

The session on Missouri’s prevailing wage law drew a full house. Perspectives from Patrick Watkins, Missouri Division of Labor Standards; Hon. Manny Abarca, Fair Contracting Alliance-Kansas City; Elmer Rhodes, Headcount in St. Louis and Janson Thomas, St. Louis County Division of Procurement, gave participants’ insight on application and enforcement of prevailing wage. Prevailing wage was also a topic at the Missouri Building and Construction Trades Council session as the meeting featured presentations from current and prospective members of the Missouri Senate including the Hon Doug Beck, also state Building Trades president; Stephen Webber, Missouri AFL-CIO; Joe Pereless and State Rep. Robert Sauls.

Missouri utilities impact every organization and household and are changing their mix of power sources and rate structures. Zach Monroe of Ameren explained the impact of legislative changes to rate structures and how they enabled the utility to accelerate construction projects needed to address aging facilities, increased need for transmission and more renewable sources. Kara Larson of Evergy discussed the significant increases in demand after years of stable usage the utility is now facing, thanks to growing new and planned data center and manufacturing facilities.

Transportation and broadband access are also key economic drivers. Missouri is beginning the expansion of lanes on I-70 with a process outlined by Eric Kopensky, Missouri Department of Transportation assistant district engineer. Projects are already starting with more stretches close to bid awards for the $2.6 billion project. Missouri is also investing in greatly expanded broadband access for areas with limited access or economic challenges, as reported by BJ Tankersly, Missouri Department of Economic Development broadband director. Kansas is continuing its heavy transportation investments based on extensive feedback from citizens though is concerned about future decreases in gas tax revenues, noted Tony Menke, Kansas Department of Transportation bureau chief of construction and materials.

Arbitration is a key tool in labor-management contracts and discussion on how to improve the process and results was led by Jake Miller , Grissom and Miller, and Amanda Vogelsberg, Henson Hutton Mudrick Gragson & Vogelsberg.

Participants also enjoyed an opening reception, golf tournament and a music-filled banquet.

The conference’s success can be attributed to its sponsors and the planning committee. Sponsors included Ameren, Evergy, Awards & T-Shirts, Bank of Labor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Cigna, Federal Mediation and Conciliations Service, Grissom & Miller, Humana, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City, Missouri AFL-CIO, Novak Birks, Onsite Logic, Scarborough Alliance, St. Louis Electrical Connection IBEW & NECA, Stephens-Heffner Financial Partners, SolidaritUS, ULLICO and United Healthcare.

Planning committee members were Bret Bonge, Evergy, and Bob Jacobi, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City, co-chairs; Jake Hummel, Missouri AFL-CIO, vice chair; Dawn Nicklas, Nicklas Lobby, secretary; Tom Johnson, Bank of Labor, treasurer; Pat “Duke” Dujakovich, Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO; Tim Green, IBEW Local 1/St. Louis Electrical Connection; Stephanie Haynes, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; Jay Lind, Sheet Metal Workers Local 2; Julie Menghini, Kansas Department of Labor; Jake Miller, Grissom & Miller; Ralph Oropeza, Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council; Leroy Skinner, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; Todd Smith, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; and Matt Troesser, Missouri AFL-CIO & SMART. After the conference, the committee added new members Todd Howerton, IBEW Local 124; Kevin King, Roofers International; Dominick Klobe, Onsite Logic; Alise Martiny, Operative Plasterers; & Cement Masons International Association; Bo Moreno, IBEW Local 124; Ben Schilling, IBEW Local 124. Additional members are welcome.

The 2025 conference returns to Camden on the Lake July 6-9.