The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC wishes all of our partners and supporters a great New Year!

We mourn the death of former President Jimmy Carter. Carter was president when the LMC was formed, and his administration encouraged the formation of similar efforts around the country. Alumni of his administration have proven strong supporters of the LMC when they returned to KC--folks like Scott Burnett, Jim Bergfalk and Jan Marcuson. During and after his presidency, his message of peace and reconciliation is a key value for building better labor-management relationships and his example of service to others is one we encourage and hope to emulate. RIP Jimmy.

National Labor Relations Board member Marvin Kaplan, a Kansas City native, spoke at an event sponsored by Polsinelli and the LMC Dec. 17. Photos can be found in the Photo Albums at left under Kaplan Speech at Polsinelli.

Construction Committee Recommends Endorsement of KCPS Bond Issue

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Greg Davey, Ed Downey, Jason Ferguson, Joey Flickner, Josh Franklin, Kris Heegn, Todd Howerton, Gabe Jones, Damon Miles, Bo Moreno, Whitney. Morgan, Ralph Oropeza, David Price, Cameron Seip, Keith Smith,  Chris Stanton, Stacey Zerr, Nate Zier, Bob Jacobi.

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

•Session #37 of the Construction Summit:  Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance.  Efforts are also underway to promote Responsible Bidder Ordinances for local governments and school districts.

•Missouri’s profiled bills include a county option “right-to-work,” several bills that would criminalize being undocumented in the state, dueling statewide mechanical contractor licensing bills, transfer of MODOT to gubernatorial control, making appeals and supreme court judges elected positions and unemployment compensation changes.  The bills on immigration focus on individual immigrants but not on the employers who bring them to the state.

•Presentation by Kansas City Public Schools on the April bond issue.  Keith Smith and Whitney Morgan from KCPS explained the recent progress on district academics—it’s not the KCPS of past years—and the extensive needs for district students and the plan to do $100 million in projects using a no tax increase bond and another $445 million funded with a property tax increase that will be voted on April 8.  Discussion included how the projects fit into educational and safety needs, contracting standards and enforcement, the role of the district’s contracting standards in the $50 million designated for charter schools, the planned CTE center and how the district can work more effectively with the building trades and contractors on workforce development, ongoing communication between the district and the industry, the need for some projects to also have philanthropic support, the role of MBE/WBE standards and the importance of also ensuring minority and women workers on the projects and the need for mentoring from industry for students.

•M/S/C to recommend to the LMC Board that the LMC endorse the Kansas City Public Schools bond issue on the April 8, 2025 ballot.  The LMC Board will meet Jan. 22.

•NICE is planning the iBuild Showcase for April 8 at Bartle Hall and will soon be taking registrations for booths.  Changes are being considered to make the event easier for apprenticeship programs to participate.  Senior Days are scheduled at several apprenticeship programs.

•The Builders, a chapter of the AGC, will host its annual holiday party at Lydia’s starting at 2 p.m. today.

•The LMC is co-sponsoring with Polsinelli an event Dec 17 featuring Marvin Kaplan, member of the National Labor Relations Board and a KC-area native.  All are welcome with an RSVP.

•Upcoming events:

*Builders’ Holiday Party Dec. 12

*DBIA-Metrowire Holiday Party Dec. 18, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Milburn Country Club

*Luncheon with NLRB Member Marvin Kaplan, Dec. 17 Polsinelli

*Missouri 2025 Legislative Session Begins, Jan. 8

*Missouri Gubernatorial Inauguration, Jan. 13, Jefferson City

*Kansas Legislative Session Begins, Jan 13

*LMC Board Meeting, Jan. 22

*DBIA-MAR 2025 Kickoff at Lockton, Jan. 23

*Working Families Friend Casino Night, Jan. 31, 6-10 p.m., 1222 W 12th St KCMO

*Midwest Construction Safety Conference, March 6-7, Adams Pointe Conference Center

*USDOL Davis-Bacon Seminar, March 18-19, online

*Election Day for Missouri local governments and school districts, April 8

*NICE iBuild Showcase April 8, 2025

*LMC Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner, April 10, Argosy Casino

*USDOL Davis-Bacon Seminar, June 25-26, online

*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 6-9, 2025, Camden on the Lake

*LMC Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament July 22, Eagles Landing Golf Club

*LMC Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 11, Saddle & Sirloin

*USDOL Davis-Bacon Seminar, Sept. 24-25, online

*NICE Awards Luncheon, Oct. 25

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025  at Mark One Electric Co.   The City of Independence will present on its April bond issue.

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

Congratulations to Terry and the Hon. Peggy Dunn on being named Kansas Citians of the Year by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Longtime supporters of the LMC and many great community causes, Terry and Peggy deserved the recognition and no doubt will continue their outstanding leadership.