May 2010

Labor-Management Council of Greater KC Honors Industry Leaders

 Labor Department Director Credited with Tough Oversight of Missouri Labor Practices

On April 15, the Labor-Management Council (LMC) of Greater Kansas City honored three outstanding individuals for their work and influence in labor relations. The organization’s 31st anniversary celebration was held at the Argosy Casino in Kansas City, Mo.

The LMC’s honorees were Kansas Mayor/Wyandotte County CEO Joe Reardon with the Leadership in Labor-Management Cooperation Award; and retired Truman Medical Centers Deputy Executive Director Dan Couch, and retired Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663 Business Manager Barry Wilkinson with the Service to the Labor-Management Council Award.

Reardon was credited with involving labor and management in the policies leading to the tremendous growth in Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County in recent years – growth that continues to occur despite a challenged economy. His active metro-wide leadership also was cited for its benefit to the labor-management and broader communities.

Couch and Wilkinson, who served together as LMC co-chairs in the late 1990s, have continued to be involved with and supportive of the LMC after retirement.  They jointly lead a session of the Mid-Level Leadership Program each year, continue to provide advice and support, and continue to involve the LMC in their community leadership roles.

 Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster praised the LMC and its members for Kansas City “doing labor-management cooperation exceptionally well.” He noted that success is the result of “good people coming together for a common purpose.”

The Attorney General also gave high praise to Missouri Labor Department Director Larry Rebman for his exceptional leadership and the state Labor Department’s oversight of labor practices and employment security. “Since Larry Rebman became director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Department is “an engine that has been turned on,” Koster said, citing active approaches to unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, prevailing wage, and other areas.

The event also featured the presentation of a check for more than $13,000 to the National Institute for Construction Excellence contributed by the LMC from proceeds of the third Construction Summit in January. The funds will support the Crayons to CAD middle school program and iBuild Showcase, which united more than 1,000 students with industry professionals.

More than 180 participants attended the anniversary celebration. For more information about the LMC, contact Bob Jacobi, executive director, at bob.jacobi@rockhurst.edu or call 816-501-4565.