INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 101 101 Vol 23 No.1WEB(1).pdf · and output, which...

1LOCAL 101 IN REVIEW

LOCAL 101LOCAL 101LOCAL 101LOCAL 101INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS

VOLUME 23, NUMBER 1 • KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI • FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL 2015

HEAVY/HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTIONBUILDING CONSTRUCTION

CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATESSTATIONARY ENGINEERS

How the elections affect our members | page 3

Local Contractor helping our community | page 13

“Right to Work” ordinance | page 15

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Per Capita Tax IncreaseDUES INCREASE

Effective July 1, 2015 Delegates at the 38th General Convention of

the International Union of Operating Engineers, held in April 2013, voted unanimously for a

Per Capita Tax Increase of fifty cents (50¢) per month (or $1.50 per quarter)

DUES RATESThe following Dues Rates will go into effect starting July 1, 2015 for Local 101 Operating Engineers.

Heavy Equipment Operators101, 101B, 101R (Apprentice) $22.40 monthly $67.20 quarterly101C (Retiree) $12.05 monthly $36.15 quarterly

Stationary Operators101S according to contract101S (Retiree) $11.75 monthly101S (Out-of Service) $15.25 monthly

PLEASE NOTE:CHANGES IN DUES CALCULATION• Your dues MUST be paid through the

CURRENT MONTH not the Quarter • Delinquent/ Reminder Notices are sent

at thirty (30) days past due.• Members whose dues remain unpaid will be

suspended after sixty (60) days.

PAY BY PHONE: The Kansas City branch of Local 101 is now offering “Pay by Phone” for your

convenience. In order to pay by phone, just call 816.737.8600.

Featured Articles

Page 3 Scott Rettig . . . . . . . Business Manager

Page 4 Michael Charlton . . . President, Business Representative Kansas City

Page 6 Kurt Chaffee . . . . . . . Vice President, Business Representative Topeka Area

Page 8 Terry Simpson . . . . . Financial Secretary, Business Representative Kansas City

Page 10 Fred Voigt . . . . . . . . . Business Representative Kansas City

Page 12 Aaron Brown. . . . . . . Recording Secretary Business Representative Kansas City

Page 14 Nick Carey. . . . . . . . . Business Representative Kansas City

Page 16 Darwin Gardner . . . . Treasurer Business Representative Kansas City

Page 18 Charley Kendrick . . . Business Representative St. Joseph Area

Page 19 Shawn Mulligan . . . . Business Representative Sedalia Area

0 Jerry McKnight. . . . . Business Representative Springfield Area

Page 22 Mike Ward . . . . . . . . . Business Representative Wichita Area

Page 24 Kevin Rusnak . . . . . . Business Representative Stationary - Kansas City

Page 25 Peggy McGinnis . . . . Business Representative Stationary - St. Joseph Area

Page 27 Schedule of Training Classes

Inside this issue...

Featured on the front cover: Kissick Construction, Musselman & Hall and Great Plains Drilling working at the Burns & McDonnell World Headquarters

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3LOCAL 101 IN REVIEW 3

LOOKING AHEAD IN 2015

As 2015 is getting started, I know that many members are anxiously awaiting for the work season to begin. During the 2014-2015 Holiday Season, Local 101 members had a lot of work at the two car manufacturing plants in the Kansas City area. Contractors that work under the Heavy Constructors Agreement have also kept some of our members busy with ongoing work repairing our roads, bridges, and various other Heavy projects. With the exception of a couple cold spells, the dry weather has made this work possible. Looking ahead into 2015, up-coming work looks positive. There are jobs carrying forward from last year, as well as new jobs being reported from our Contractors for 2015.

This is Local 101’s first newsletter since the November 2014 Elections. The results of that election were quite disappointing. The results from that election will more than likely have negative effects for most of us over the next few years. In Missouri, many newly elected Legislators will be introducing, so called “new right-to-work” laws as well as more attacks on Prevailing Wage. In my opinion, the time and effort that these lawmakers waste trying to break down wages and working conditions for the middle class could be better spent solving real issues like the conditions of our roads and bridges in Missouri.

In Missouri, it is reported that 26% of our supplemental roads are in such poor condition that they may soon resemble a gravel road instead of a paved one. On these supplementary roads are approximately 483 bridges that are reported to be in serious condition. In ten years, that number could rise to approximately 1400. Nearly 90% of these bridges will close, as well as many others that are subject to weight restrictions. The work that is needed on Missouri’s roads and bridges, would put many Missourians to work. If the lawmakers in Missouri would focus on the real needs of Missouri, instead of filling campaign promises to those fat cats (that fall in the 1%) who pay for their elections, they could help everyone in Missouri.

In Kansas, the voters decided that they had not had enough of the failed experiment conducted by Governor Sam Brownback. The voters chose to bring Governor Brownback in for another four years. This decision will affect many Kansans, especially those that make a living building and maintaining the roads and bridges in Kansas. In 2010 a 4/10th-of-a-cent sales tax was implemented with overwhelming support from all areas of the state. This 4/10th sales tax would provide 8 billion dollars over ten years to fund highway and transportation needs in Kansas. It would also provide an estimated 175,000 jobs. Because of the Governor’s failed experiment, to date nearly 1 billion dollars has been diverted to fill the shortfalls in the Kansas budget.

Recently, it looks like he will be going after another 350 million dollars, which will jeopardize future projects. The work currently underway in Kansas, being done by our members, will not be affected. However, this will be a huge concern for future projects.

The actions of the lawmakers in both Missouri and Kansas are making decisions that very much affect the livelihood of our members. It is very important for you to let your respective representative know how you feel about their interference in your livelihood.

Your Local will continue to keep you informed of any possible threats arising on the subjects of Right-to-Work, and Prevailing Wage issues in Missouri. Wishing all the members of Local 101 a prosperous and safe 2015!

Scott RettigBusiness Manager

4 KANSAS CITY

Investing $1.3 billion in infrastructure next year would add at least 29,000 jobs to the construction industry alone and $2 billion to economic growth while reducing the deficit by $200 million, according to a new report from Standard & Poors.

The jobs added are likely to be new ones, not just hiring people who are already employed. Even more jobs would be added to related industries. The report cites a 2012 study that found 61 percent of jobs directly created by infrastructure investment would be in that industry, with another 12 percent in manufacturing and 7 percent in retail and wholesale trade. Almost 9 out of 10 of those jobs would be defined as middle-class.

Returns will keep increasing even after the initial investment. In addition to the short-term benefit of job creation, significant investments in large projects can enhance efficiency and allow goods and services to be transported more efficiently. Once the infrastructure is up and running, it boosts the economy’s capacity and output, which means increased growth and more jobs long after the work has ended.

There are plenty of places where the U.S. could spend money improving infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers gives us a D+ grade on our roads, bridges, waterways, electrical grids, and other

infrastructure, and says the country would need to spend $3.6 trillion by 2020 to get it all up to par. In the meantime, bridges have literally collapsed under traffic.

Government spending has fallen by about $60 billion in just a few years and spending on infrastructure and other long-term priorities has fallen below any level since World War II. On top of all of this, the Highway Trust Fund, which gives federal money to states for infrastructure projects, will become insolvent shortly. President Obama proposed a four-year, $90 billion dollar plan that would have put $150 billion back into the fund, but that amount would have still fallen far short of what the country should be spending.

The Missouri Republican-led Legislature voted in May to refer the transportation tax to last year’s ballot in a vote that split the political parties, drawing some Democratic support but also some Republican opposition. Because it was in the form a constitutional amendment that is decided by voters, the measure did not have to go before the Democratic governor for his signature or veto.

Nixon noted that legislators this year also approved a gradual income tax cut – by overriding his veto – that is projected by legislative researchers to eventually reduce state revenues by $620 million annually. Lawmakers also approved a series of specially tailored tax breaks for particular industries, organizations and consumers that Nixon says could reduce state and local revenues by an additional $776 million annually.

Michael CharltonPresident

Infrastructure in America Rated

at a D+


KANSAS CITY

The ballot proposal said the sales tax would have generated $534 million annually for 10 years while prohibiting increases in the gas tax. That’s over $5 billion in 10 years. That would have been 145,000 jobs in the construction industry over the next 10 years.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has said it soon won’t have money to adequately maintain roads and bridges, much less undertake any major new projects, because of declining revenues. Over the past five years, Missouri’s construction budget for roads and bridges has fallen from about $1.3 billion annually to $685 million this year. It is projected to dip to $325 million by the 2017 budget.

Missouri has the seventh largest road system in the United States while ranking 43rd in funding. The sales tax would have improved that while creating tens of thousands of good, high-paying jobs in the construction industry.

ESI on the American Bridge Project

American Bridge working on the 69 Hwy Bridge demolition

6 BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES

K-State has seven different jobs varying from $20 million to $1.5 billion that are in various stages of bidding. At this time, without much imagination I can see close to $2 billion dollars worth of projects starting in the next year. The big one of course is the NBAF project which to those who have been watching has had some level of activity for the last six years. The lab itself is supposed to be started by May with some phases of construction lasting as long as 5 years! I’ll keep you posted as it develops.

The SCR project at Jeffrey has finally wound down. This has been a great job for all of organized labor as only a very small portion of the work went non-union. From our perspective this job provided literally thousands of man hours for the membership of 101 and their families. It also kept at least a dozen union contractors busy throughout the process. I’ve never taken our existence at the area powerhouses lightly, as it remains one of our strongholds through good times and bad. The folks at Westar appreciate the “get it done right, get it done the first time” attitude that our union members possess. It’s the reason we maintain the relations we have. My hat’s off to all those 101 members that made that job happen. Our professionalism was noticed by all! Believe me; they have choices! Wrapping up powerhouse news, the outage at Lawrence Energy Center is scheduled to start March 30th.

Other events around the area include the Deep South project with a crew working on moving a vessel out of Saunders at Emporia that will wind up in Eldorado. They seem to be having a bigger existence in the area as time goes by. Blue Hat Crane Rental and Doherty have had an around-the-clock project involving a dryer at the ICL plant in Lawrence (formerly FMC), which has been a good one for them.

As I write this article the dirt side of work is slow to none, but not unusual for January. The K-10 project with N.R. Hamm continues to make progress when weather permits. Rieke Brothers still have work at Menards in Lawrence to finish up. There’s not a lot of big work in the upcoming KDOT projects locally. The focus seems to be on bridge work and bridge replacements. I’m hoping City and private work in Lawrence and Topeka is able to pick up the slack. Also locally, I’ve been contacted by a couple of demolition companies about tearing down the Docking Building at 901 Harrison in Topeka. We’re hoping that project goes union as well.

We would like to thank the staff at the training site for coming over and putting on a forklift certification class. It was appreciated by all!

Condolences go out to the families of Gregg Shereman and Kenny Ware. Gregg passed away on December 31, 2014 and Kenny passed on January 2, 2015. They will be missed.

In closing: If you have been called back to work, please call and let me know so I can remove you from the “Out of Work” list.

Stay alert and work safe!

Kurt ChaffeeVice President and

Business RepresentativeTopeka

Enerfab working at the Jeffrey SCR project

LOCAL 101 IN REVIEW 7

Blue Hat Crane working around the clock at the ICL Plant in Lawrence

TOPEKA

The Topeka meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm located at 3906 NW 16 St, Topeka, Kansas. We hope to see you at a meeting soon.


This winter has been brutally cold! We are now approaching mid-January and many of our contractors are getting back to work while they can before the cold hits again.

Clarkson Construction and Kiewit Infrastructure (GIC) have a lot of work going on at the Johnson County Gateway Project. Other areas with work are on College Boulevard, K-10 & Ridgeview with the bridge expansion. The bulk of the work in the area is around the 435-K-10/I-35-435 area with bridge columns popping up for the new flyover bridges. With this comes a lot of dirt work on the south side of the job for future expansions.

Belger Cartage set out another tilt-up warehouse at the Intermodal, and will soon be setting the next one. Central Plumbing is also on site doing storm sewer and waterline work. Freeman Concrete is doing the curb work, while McAnany Construction will be doing the asphalt paving. McAnany also has work on 99th Street in Lenexa, which is approximately 90% complete.

The subdivision work in my area still looks good for the up-coming season. O’Donnell & Sons, and Kissick Construction were all over in Olathe and Overland Park last year, continuing this work season as well. Kissick Construction also has on-going work for “Water-One” in Olathe with 8 miles of 42" waterlines.

Haupt Construction has on-going work at 127th Street just west of Metcalf for a new apartment complex. Site Rite Construction is also on this project installing the underground utilities. This is just one of many new apartment complexes going up in the Johnson County area.

Enerfab began a 6-week shut down at Lacygne in mid-January for the final preparation and tie-in for all the new work that Kiewit has been doing for the last 3½ years. Everything should be up and running and turned over to KCPL by late April or early May.

Max Rieke Brothers has on-going work at 124th & Quivira around the retirement home doing the pipe work and the silt pond. George Shaw has the site work and Redford Construction has the utility work for the new Olathe High School which will last for quite some time. George Shaw also got the by-pass road to Hedge Lane so that KCPL can come in and move the existing power poles down Hedge Lane. Shaw also started work at the new Overland Park City Center located at Switzer & College.

The Foley Co. was the low bidder on water pump station work in the new Century Air Center doing pump upgrades and replacements. Ideker Construction picked up some mill and overlay work for K-DOT at 107th & 169 Highway.

Looking ahead in 2015 the work looks real good.

As always, work safe and productive and represent Local 101 with pride!

Terry SimpsonFinancial Secretary

Enerfab at the Lacygne job

Kissick Construction

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9LOCAL 101 IN REVIEWLOCAL 101 IN REVIEW

The Gateway Project

Holliday Sand & Gravel at plant #3 in Shawnee

KANSAS CITY

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Lacygne Power Plant


Fred VoigtBusiness Representative

Kansas City

Blue Hat Crane and Midland Steel at Truman Med Center

Building Erection and Absolute Crane in Westport

The Christmas shutdown at the Ford Kansas City Assembly Plantin Claycomo was a great boost of work for the men and women of Local 101. I heard nothing but praise from the Contractors about the quality manpower that Local 101 supplied. This is a testament to the professionalism and craftsmanship of the men and women of Local 101. I thank you for that!

George J Shaw has demolished two buildings on the Saint Luke’s Plaza Campus, making way for further expansion. No official word on what will be built. There is speculation that it will be a multi-story parking garage and doctor’s offices.

Truman Medical Center is building a four-story office building and parking garage at 22nd and Charlotte. George J Shaw, Mark One Electric, Rodriguez Mechanical, Midland Steel, Blue Hat Crane Rental, and Building Erection are on this project.

Expansion of the Burns & McDonnell world headquarters continues with Kissick Construction, Musselman & Hall, Fordyce, George Shaw, Building Erection, Midwest Crane and Great Plains Drilling all on site.

Musselman & Hall, with Wilkerson Crane Rental, are setting precast on a substation located at 47th & Troost.

Absolute Crane, and Building Erection are putting up red iron on a church in the Westport area.

Street Car Constructors have maybe a third of the rail installed along its route from Union Station to the River Market. Kissick Construction, Redford, and Ideker are still on site in force. Building Erection, Midwest Crane, George J Shaw, Max Rieke Bros., and Rodríguez Mechanical are forging ahead on the Streetcar Maintenance Facility.

American Bridge has a M-250 on the water, and a 4100 on the south bank of the Missouri River, as they prepare for demolition of the south bound Platte Purchase Bridge. This will make way for a 4-lane bridge connecting Riverside Missouri, and the Fairfax Industrial area of Kansas City Kansas. Once completed, they will demolish the North Bound Platte Purchase Bridge. Phillips Hardy will then erect a minor bridge for this Project. ESI is constructing temporary ramps on the Missouri side of this project, to get the bridge girders over the levee.

Northland’s, “Twin Creeks” was headlined on 1-1-15 in the Kansas City Star as the next major growth area. This article was heralding the completion of the 40 million dollar sewer project in Platte County, that was constructed by Redford Construction, Radmacher Excavating, and Kissick Construction.

11LOCAL 101 IN REVIEW 11LOCAL 101 IN REVIEW

JE Dunn at Kansas City Board of Trades Building

Belger Rail Yard

American Bridge working on the 69 Hwy Bridge Demolition

Hayes Drilling & ACI Concrete at 16th & Main

KANSAS CITY

ESI working on an American Bridge Project

Hopefully, the city will realize that when you hire the reliable and professional Union Contractors, your projects complete on time and within budget. This article in the Kansas City Star proceeds to say that now the city will need to look deep into the budget for a way to pay for the roads in this area (estimated to be $300 million or more). This will be needed for the estimated 60,000 to 75,000 people that will be moving into this area. With an investment like this, the city would be well advised to consider Union Contractors and the advantages that they bring.

The work load for 2015 looks very good. I would not go as far as to say “full recovery,” but things are looking up!

Safety is everyone’s responsibility! Come to work rested, and alert, and watch out for yourself and others around you. Go home knowing you have set the standard for safety and Union Craftsmanship.

1212 LOCAL 101 IN REVIEW

Aaron BrownRecording/Corresponding Secretary

There is a misunderstanding

about all the good things a

union does for its members.

Public opinion of Labor Unions is not the best! There is a lot of criticism from those that do not understand what a union is all about. There is a misunderstanding about all the good things a union does for its members, and even for those that are not affiliated with a labor organization.

As you read further, I will explain how unions have a positive effect on entire communities, as well as our entire nation.

With a strong union presence in your area, the economy will reflect it. Union members as a whole make higher wages than others working in the same capacity. This in turn puts more money into the local economy. As businesses flourish, the need for more employees occurs. On the flip side of things, if you live in an area that low wages are prevalent, and businesses aren’t flourishing or making good profits, the need for more employees dwindles. Statistics prove that a large metropolitan area with a strong union presence, has a much better chance for creating new jobs and sustaining a healthy economy.

Strong organized labor unions create higher pay by creating a higher prevailing wage. These higher wages will have a positive effect on everyone that lives in your community whether you are a union member or not! When a person lives in a weak area of organized labor, or perhaps none at all, the wages race to the bottom.

Hopefully, I have just given you a few examples of how a strong labor presence in your area positively affects your community.

As a way of giving back to our community Local 101 has been monetarily supporting such groups as The Bishop Sullivan Center and The Banneker Elementary School. We have also been making yearly contributions to these organizations: The City Union Mission, The Salvation Army, and Harvesters. These contributions are made possible because of union wages.

In closing, I hope I have shared some reasons with you to support the fact that you are part of an Organized Labor group that has a positive affect for the community you live, work, and play in.

13LOCAL 101 IN REVIEW 13

Jim Kissick Construction demolition of an abandoned house in a Kansas City neighborhood

Demolition of abandoned houses donated by Jim Kissick Construction

What a great way to help out! Kissick Construction jumps in to help our community by donating their time and efforts to demolish many abandoned “eye sores” in the Kansas City area.

This is just one more example of how much union contractors and their workers impact their communities. You won’t find any (non-union) contractors making this kind of effort.

KISSICK CONSTRUCTION GIVES BACK TO

OUR COMMUNITY!


Nick CareyBusiness Representative

Kansas City

The Christmas shut-down at General Motors main plant produced work opportunities for

about fifty Operating Engineers.

I am looking forward to the 2015 work year! Gas prices are as low as we have seen in many years. In the past, lower fuel prices helped jump start the economy, especially in the construction industry.

The Christmas shutdown at General Motors main plant produced work opportunities for about fifty Operating Engineers. Automatic System, Inc. received the biggest part of the maintenance work load. Smaller portions of the work was awarded to Commercial Contract Corporation, International Industrial Inc., and Boldt Construction. Sellers & Marquis was also at GM working on the roof of the main plant.

Azco has been working in the Fairfax district at the CertainTeed Plant. Blue Hat Crane Rental and Concorp also have been assisting with the maintenance work at this location.

E.S.I. has been working at I-35 and Mill Street. They have been rocking the banks of Turkey Creek. Midwest Crane & Rigging and Building Erection have been setting precast at 75th and Neiman Road, on the Shawanoe Elementary School addition.

Clarkson Construction and Comanche Construction were the low bidders for the I-70 work. This work will take place from 7 Highway north of Bonner Springs, back east to the 110th Street Interchange. Clarkson is also working on the new Auto Plaza that is just east of I-435 and south of Parallel Parkway.

J.E. Dunn Construction is starting a new job on the northeast corner of 39th and Stateline. This job will be a 300,000-square-foot, six-story, structural steel hospital building. Dunn also received more work at the Overland Park Regional Hospital for a new parking lot. George Shaw Construction did the dirt work, Realm Construction took care of the retaining walls, and Hanrahan Asphalt Co. layed the asphalt.

Belger Cartage did the hoisting for the tilt-ups at the new Woodend II Industrial Park. Hanrahan worked on the north side of the building laying asphalt for temporary parking.

Looking ahead, The 2015 work year looks promising! Keep your equipment certifications, and CISAP cards up to date. As winter passes, and you receive a call back to work, please remember to call and take your name off of the “out of work” list.

I wish everyone a prosperous 2015 work year, and as always, BE SAFE!


Passing a “right-to-work” law at the state level has been a top priority for this right in recent years. Where such laws might not be able to pass at the state level, local “right-to-work” ordinances may be on the horizon.

In recent months, a coalition of anti-union groups have been promoting the idea of passing “right-to-work” ordinances on the city and county level. Recognizing the success of progressives in pursuing labor rights at the local level, these anti-union groups have decided to try their own version of small scale warfare!

Outlined, is the anti-union arguments and some of the associated problems in an article for THE NATION. A few days later, Politico’s Brian Mahoney reported from ALEC’S winter meeting that “specifically the groups are looking at counties in Washington, Montana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and perhaps most aggressively Kentucky.

A county in southwestern Kentucky, approximately halfway between Louisville and Paduch, voted for preliminary approval of a county-level “right-to-work” ordinance. The vote appeared to come out of nowhere. It was listed on the agenda as “an Ordinance relating to the promotion of Economic Development and Commerce.” One of the magistrates stated that he only found out about the ordinance on the morning of the vote!

If Warren County, Kentucky takes the final step to passing its local “right-to-work” ordinance, it will represent the beginning of a long fight over the legality of such local laws.

Promoters of the effort argue that although federal labor laws generally preempts any local ordinances, Section 14 (b) of the Taft-Hartley Act, which permits right-to-work laws in “any state or territory,” is ambiguous as to whether it applies to cities and counties.

They argue that counties are subdivisions of the state, and home rule cities have been delegated authority by the state, so these entities should be included under the term “state.”

While anti-union argument is wrong, this has all the earmarks of an eventual Supreme Court case in the making. Recent cases have already shown that the court is capable of some truly anti-labor decisions!

A KENTUCKY COUNTY JUST VOTED TO APPROVE THE FIRST

“RIGHT-TO-WORK” ORDINANCE!

THIS INFORMATION WAS FIRST POSTED AND APPEARED AT THE “CENTURY FOUNDATIONS” BLOG.

16 BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES16

Darwin GardnerBusiness RepresentativeKansas City

Haggard Hauling and Beemer on a JA Lillig job in Lees Summit Missouri

George Shaw Construction starting on the Cerner Project in South Kansas City

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and wishes for a very Happy New Year. The weather has been a cold mess, and has been very hard for those trying to do the dirt work. It is that time of year, so we will just work around it as always.

Work looks good for this up-coming year. If the weather cooperates, we will have many operators hard at work.

Haines & Associates picked up water line work on Bannister Road and Eastern Avenue. Blue Nile has four crews working in the Hickman Mills/Red Bridge area installing water lines. Blue Nile also has a crew working in Martin City, as well as upcoming work they have not yet started.

J.A. Lillig and Beemer Construction are both setting reinforced concrete pipe in Lee’s Summit, with Haggard Hauling setting them in place. Lico Steel is setting the iron at the new N.O.A.H. project in Grandview. Central Plumbing, Mark One, and Haupt Construction are all on this job as well.

Redford Construction is doing pipe work on two jobs located in Belton and Harrisonville. Mid States Excavating returned to the bus barn in Grain Valley for some finish up work. Kissick Construction has the dirt work at the Unilever job in Independence and the sewer tie in work in Sugar Creek. Amino Brothers finished up a round-about in Blue Springs and are getting ready to widen Woods Chapel Road. Radmacher Excavating started off and on again work on Lee’s Summit Road, with on-going work on Strother Road. Phillips Hardy is near completion for their work on Markey Parkway in Belton. J.E. Dunn reported that the mass excavation for the Cerner project will begin soon.

There was a good turn-out for the Kansas City January Union Meeting. It was nice to see so many faces in solidarity.

REMEMBER, while you are out working on various jobs, you have the right to request another workers union card, particularly when you see another trade running Operating Engineers equipment.

LOCAL 101 IN REVIEW 17LOCAL 101 IN REVIEW

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Alan Engnes received his 50 Year Service Pin in January

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Sheila Hoehn received her 35 Year Service Pin in November

Greg Harris received his 30 Year Service Pin in January

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John Thomure received his 35 Year Service Pin in January

Don Shaw received his 45 Year Service Pin in November

Steve McKinley received his 20 and 25 Year Service Pins in November

Robert Criscione received his 40 Year Service Pin, Gold Card, and Watch in November

Larry Harris received his 40 Year Service Pin, Gold Card, and Watch in November

Randy Verdoorn received his 20 Year Service Pin in January

KANSAS CITY

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Drawing Winners for November pictured are Randy Bergstrom, Phyllis Strozier and Shane Walulik

January Drwing Winners pictured are Casey Miller, Laura Fuller, and David Cruse

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ST. JOSEPH

Charley KendrickBusiness Representative

St. Joseph Area

Ron Davis received his 30 Year Service Pin in December

Mark Menard received his 35 Year Service Pin in November

Rick McCracken received his 30 Year Service Pin in December

Steve Kent received his 30 Year Service Pin in October

Greg Hillyard received his 20 Year Service Pin in November

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35

30

30

20

2015 has arrived. Last year was good but we hope this year is better. The economy continues to show positive progress. All things are not perfect, but we remain optimistic for more growth in the industry.

We will face many of the same challenges this year as we have in the past. As the new Congress now has a Republican majority, that list may grow. Local 101 and the International will continue to monitor the politics to press for legislation that has our best interest in mind.

In the past several years, Local 101 has enjoyed a lot of new mainline pipeline construction in our area. This year we don’t currently have any scheduled. There will be several pipeline jobs across the country though. The Keystone XL Pipeline still remains a battle to get started. Keep in mind that the first section of this pipeline, the Cushing Extension, was constructed in 2010 through Kansas into Oklahoma. It is four years later and the XL line is still being argued over in Congress. This pipeline will bring work for qualified operators in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska when it gets approval.

The St. Joseph area is experiencing the normal slow down due to the winter season. The ongoing jobs are hampered by the weather situations, but they work when they can. Our contractors are constantly struggling to compete for the work available. Union contractors are definitely outnumbered by non-union contractors in the northwest corner of Missouri. This is the situation of the whole country, not just our area. It would be nice to see this trend turn around.

We had the following members receive service pins at the end of last year. Steve Kent received his 30 year pin in October. At the November meeting, Mark Menard received his 35 year pin and Greg Hillyard received his 20 year pin. The December meeting also had two members entitled to service pins. Rick McCracken received his 30 year pin and Ron Davis was present to receive his 30 year pin. We would like to thank all of these members for their years of service and dedication to Local 101.

Please remember to call in every 60 days to remain active on the “Out-of-Work List”. Update your qualifications, phone numbers and/or e-mail address when you contact the hall. The meetings in St. Joe are held the 1st Tuesday of every month and start at 7:00 p.m.


Heath Moose Wissman was the November Drawing Winner

Shawn MulliganBusiness Representative

Sedalia Area

SEDALIA

ESI at the Cranberry Bend Wildlife Refuge in Grand Pass Missouri

Ideker finishing up at the Sedalia Airport

For the most part the winter hasn’t been too bad yet. The work here in the Sedalia area was thinner than we like to see, but looking ahead is looking better.

Well it sounds like we have the same anti-union bills in Jefferson City, just another year! The Republicans just don’t care about us working folks. It is all about keeping the 1% and the corporations happy with their pocket books, while sticking it to the middle class. It makes me sick!! All I can say about this, is “we are going to have to stick together in solidarity” and make our voices heard louder and louder.

Environmental Specialist Inc. is making good headway on the levee for the Cranberry Bend project for the Army Corps of Engineers north of Grand Pass. Doherty Steel, Midwest Crane Rental, and Belger Cartage are finishing up the new dorms for University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Subsurface Constructors put the aggregate piers in for the new storm shelter addition on the Crest Ridge High School in Centerview Missouri. Bloomsdale Excavating picked up another dirt job at the Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach for a new building pad.

The Sedalia Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month starting at 7:00 pm. We hope to see you at the next one!

As always, Work safe, Be safe!!


I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. As I write the first article of 2015, we are experiencing single digit temperatures with the wind chill well below zero. Needless to say, all work in our area has come to an abrupt stop. I am hoping by the time you read my article the weather will be much warmer, and work will be well underway in this new year.

I recently received some good news. Back in April of 2013, the voters in Lebanon, Missouri approved a bond to build a new 32 million dollar middle school. Phillips Hardy Inc. got the dirt work on the new Lebanon Middle School. The dirt work should begin in the next few weeks, weather permitting. The new school is scheduled to be open for classes to start in August 2016.

Prestressed Casting has a lot of work on the books for 2015. They currently have two crews booked through the end of this year. APAC Missouri has a full docket this year and are still bidding work. Radmacher Brothers should be getting back to work soon on the Highway 60 project. They started moving dirt at the end of last year, but the job was shut down due to weather.

Midwest Crane & Rigging is working on Robert Low’s (the founder of Prime Inc.) new house on the Primatara Thoroughbred Farm just north of Springfield. They are hanging approximately 650 tons of steel. This house is sitting on top of an 8,000 square foot man made cave. When finished the house will be approximately 22,000 square feet and cost an estimated 50 to 56 million dollars. The house will have an indoor gun range, bowling alley, spa and elevator among many other amenities.Jim Holt working for Midwest

Crane & Rigging at Primatara

Jerry McKnightBusiness Representative

Springfield Area

SPRINGFIELD


left to right....Doug Hunnell received his 20, 25, and 30 Year Service Pins and Marty Vanderhoof received his 20 and 25 Year Pins

Midwest Crane & Rigging working at Primatara

3 GENERATIONS OF OPERATORS Tracy Potter, Laverne Potter and Cliffton Potter

I would like to shine the spotlight on a pretty rare and unique thing. We have 3 generations of Operating Engineers that are members of Local 101. In November of last year Laverne Potter received his 40 year pin and gold card. His son Tracy Potter is also a member of local 101, and in July of this year he will have been with this local for 30 years. Laverne’s grandson, Cliffton Potter, is also a member of local 101 and in March, Cliffton will have been a member for 10 years. I would like to Congratulate Laverne, Tracy and Cliffton on their many years of service. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to this local.

At the January union meeting Doug Hunnell received his 20, 25 and 30 year pins and Marty Vanderhoof received his 20 and 25 year pins. Thank you, brothers for your hard work and dedication to Local 101.

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22 BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE

Mike WardBusiness Representative

Wichita Area

Malachi Westmoreland received his 40 Year Service Pin, Gold Card, and Watch

Starting a new year is always a challenge, a dream or a hope that things will be better than the year before. Many of us sit down and make resolutions that we will do things differently to improve our situations over the preceding year. With the Elections of 2014, Moderates and Democratic Candidates across the United States and Kansas lost. I for one believe that we will have to resolve to battle Brownback’s failed experiments in Kansas – and be ready for a fight against “Right to Work” in Missouri.

Work in the Wichita area has stayed steady for this time of the year. COLD! The Riverton Empire Electric Unit 12 Project is going well, with AZCO, Marley Cooling Tower (MCT), AC Dellovade, Sterett Crane and Midwest Crane Service out of Tulsa.

Site Rite Construction has work at the McConnell Air Force Base. Barnhart Crane and Rigging is working at the Panhandle Eastern Pumping Station Expansion Project in Haven, Kansas. Wolf Construction will have several projects in the Wichita area in 2015. Piping and Equipment has picked up more work at Holly Frontier Refinery in El Dorado. This work should be completed in June of 2015. Hayes Drilling has approximately five to six weeks of drilling at the Holly Frontier Refinery.

The NCRA Refinery in McPherson, and the Coking Unit Projects are getting closer to completion. Belger Cartage Service, Bennett Steel, Inc., and Piping and Equipment all have Operating Engineers working on projects throughout the refinery. The 2015 NCRA shutdown, turnaround, should start on or about March 17th. The proposed count of 100 operators will be needed for the two shifts through April.

Congratulations to Mike “Too Tall” Walsh for winning the December Meeting Drawing.

Condolences go out to the families of Brothers Roger Adams (member since 1957) and Calvin Transue. Both Local 101 members passed away recently and will be duly missed.

The Wichita Meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of each month, at 7:00 pm located at 3830 South Meridian, Wichita, Kansas. Hope to see you there!

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...and be ready for a fight against “Right to Work” in Missouri.

Belger Cartage working at the APAC batch plant in Wichita Kansas


Barnhart Crane at the Panhandle Eastern Pumping Station in Haven Kansas

Sterret Crane at the Riverton project, Baxter Springs Rail Yard

The Empire Electric Power Plant in Riverton

LOCAL 101 IN REVIEW

24 STATIONARY ENGINEERS

St Lukes South Hospital

Kevin RusnakBusiness Representative

Stationary Engineers

STATIONARY ENGINEERS

55 25 20

Almost a year ago, I wrote that HCA Midwest Health Systems was set to acquire St. Joseph Medical Center in south Kansas City. HCA was denied approval from the FTC in Washington. Recently, we received word that Carondelet Health has signed a Letter of Intent with Prime Healthcare Services for the sale of their hospitals. The sale is expected to close by the first quarter of 2015. This recent announcement was made to the Engineers and employees at this facility. Contract negotiations have been extended to allow the sale to happen, and bargain with the new employer.

Contract negotiations are currently ongoing with Truman Medical Centers, the Hospital Hill and Lakewood campuses. We have had some difficult issues to address, and several meetings have been held with more scheduled for end of January. We should have a new Agreement ratified by the time you receive this article.

Up next, I have sent the opening letter, and will begin contract negotiations for a new Agreement with ISS Facility Services for our engineers working at UMB. I also have P1 Inc. to negotiate for our groups working at all the St. Luke’s facilities.

Congratulations on the retirement of Arthur Carrillo in October, and John Collard in September from Honeywell. Best of luck!!

Congratulations to the following members who recently received their service pins: December:

Ronnie Sexton and David Malam for twenty-five years of service currently at Honeywell. January: David Davis

for twenty years currently at Truman Medical Center Lakewood, Tim Miller and Chris Jones for twenty-five years both are currently at Unilever. February: Fred Needles for fifty-five years, John Staponski for twenty-five years.

Our condolences go out to the family on the passing of Brother George Cleveland. George worked for P1 at St. Luke’s and will be duly missed by everyone.

See you at the monthly Union meeting on the 3rd Thursday of every month, or soon at your workplace!

25LOCAL 101 IN REVIEWLOCAL 101 IN REVIEW

Two thousand fifteen is starting off memorable! Cold, cold, cold! Hats off to the Operators keeping the heat on!

Congratulations go out to Ed Chambers, Paul Ellenshon and Bret Macklin with Tower Properties in Kansas City, Missouri for receiving their twenty- five year service pins, as well as Mike Ritchie at Nestle Purina in St. Joseph, Missouri, who is also receiving his twenty-five year pin.

With the help of the Nestle Purina Union Stewards in St. Joseph, Missouri, we were able to get a new five-year contract agreement. A lot of hard work and dedication went into these negotiations, and we were not only able to keep what we had, but also made it better. It probably seems like negotiations wouldn’t be difficult, but these stewards will tell you otherwise. It takes special people that work very hard to make things better for all. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Negotiations with Nestle Purina were accomplished with all new faces. Hillshire Brands negotiations will also be accomplished with new faces.

With a March 7, 2015 expiration date of Hillshire Brands/Tyson Foods contract in St. Joseph, Missouri, negotiations are now underway. There has been a large turnover in leadership during the life of our current contract that includes a new maintenance manager, plant manager, supervisors and others. Only one HR person will be a returning face for the Hillshire Brands Company at negotiations. Stewards: Calvin Matthews, Chad Kalaman and Mike Ranney will represent the IUOE membership at negotiations. Until we are told differently, we will continue to address the company as Hillshire Brands. Meanwhile, there is a lot of capital being spent to repair and replace their equipment. New hires, as well as new equipment, is always a positive sign.

Similarly, at Blueline Rentals in Kansas City Missouri on Front Street, we have seen management changes, but otherwise, it is business as usual.

New faces in leadership at Jackson County are also not uncommon. Our four Local 101 members in the Downtown Kansas City, and Independence Missouri locations, share seventy-five years of experience between them.

J&L Drywall in St. Joseph, Missouri continues to stay steady, as well as Tower Properties in Kansas City, Missouri.

We have two new Union Stewards (William “Pete” Smith, and Eric Atkinson) joining us at Dairi Concepts in El Dorado Springs Missouri. These new Stewards will be joining our current stewards Anthony (Tony) VanDyk, Patty Brownlee, George Ellis and George Winder. Congratulations on your appointment as stewards!

Congratulations to those celebrating retirement! For those out on sick leave recovering from illness or injury, we wish you a full and speedy recovery! For those able to return to work, “good for you!”

Work, play, and drive safe. Happy New Year!!!

Peggy McGinnisBusiness RepresentativeStationary Engineers

Negotiations at Dairi Concepts are from left to right are William “Pete” Smith,

George Ellis, George Winder, Eric Atkinson, Patty Brownlee,

and Tony VanDyk

Negotiations at Nestle Pictured left to right are Carolann Hayes, Allen Anders,

Mike Walters, and Mike Rich

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26 APPRENTICE TRAINING

Apprentices in training

Pipeline Training

APPRENTICESHIP& TRAINING


Pipeline Training

Kirk Zeit at the Weston Training Site

OECP TESTING

BASIC REQUIREMENTS1. 1000 hours practical crane-related experience

in last 5 years.

2. Government issued ID.

3. Copy of IUOE membership card with legible id#.

4. Copy of valid DOT or DMV medical card.

5. Actual cisap results within last 90 days. (Copy of CISAP card will not be accepted)

6. Completed candidate experience form.

CBT COMPUTER BASED TESTINGYou must meet OECP eligibility requirements and application guidelines as outlined in the Crane Operator Candidate Manual, just like the paper test (summarized above), and:

1. A current application must be on file at the OECP office, applications are good for 5 years from date of acceptance.

2. Register to take an exam at least five (5) working days in advance by calling the OECP office for both “Off Site,” and “Weston Training Site” CBT locations.

3. Everyone must call or e-mail OECP office to sign up for the CBT testing [either at the training site or an off site testing and get on the schedule.

OECP CONTACT [email protected] • 951-351-4001

www.oecp.org

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES 2015

start at 7:00 a.m. unless noted

OECP CLASS SCHEDULES Weston

OECP Crane Refresher Feb 28 - March 1OECP Crane Written Exam March 7OECP Crane Practical March 28 OECP Crane Refresher April 25 - 26OECP Crane Written Exam May 2 OECP Crane Refresher June 13 - 14OECP Crane Written Exam June 20OECP Crane Practical July 18 OECP Crane Refresher August 1 - 2OECP Crane Written Exam August 8OECP Crane Practical August 29 OECP Crane Refresher September 19 - 20OECP Crane Written Exam September 26OECP Crane Practical October 24

JOHN HENRY ROCK DRILLING(watch for future announcements) May 4-30

OSHA 10FIRST AIDE/CPRHAZMAT 40 HOURHAZMAT 8 HOUR REFRESHER

Winter classes are complete. Check website for future dates.

FORKLIFT CERTIFICATIONOffered year round Weston/Boliver

WESTON 816-640-2336INSTRUCTORS: RANDY BATES, STONEY COX, MATT BAINBRIDGE

AS WITH ALL CLASSES:• You must have an up-to-date receipt of dues paid

• You must have appropriate work attire i.e. work boots (no tennis shoes, no shorts and no sleeveless shirts)

CALL THE TRAINING SITES TO SCHEDULE CLASSES OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

How to take a Computer Based Test (CBT) at all testing sites.

You must meet OECP eligibility requirements and application

guidelines as outlined in the Crane Operator Candidate

Manual, just like the paper test, and:

• A current application must be on file at the OECP office,

applications are good for 5 years from date of acceptance

• You must register to take an exam at least five (5)

working days in advance by calling the OECP office for

both "Off Site," and "Weston Training Site" CBT

locations

• Everyone must call or e-mail OECP office to sign up for

the CBT testing [either at the training site or an offsite

testing and get on the schedule.

THANKS.

BOLIVER 417-777-7746 INSTRUCTOR: RICK MEANS

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 1016601 Winchester, Suite 280 • Kansas City, MO 64133

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDKansas City, MO

Permit # 2185

Notice to Members: You must be in good standing to attend

Union Meetings. All Union Cards will be checked at the door.

Main Office6601 Winchester, Suite 280Kansas City, MO 64133(816) 737-8600Meeting Time/Date: 7:00 p.m. 3rd Thursday of the month

Fringe Benefits Funds6601 Winchester, Suite 250Kansas City, MO 64133(816) 737-5959 • Toll Free (888) 272-5911

St. Joseph4730 Frederick Ave. St. Joseph, MO 64506(816) 279-5715Business Representative: Charley Kendrick Stationary Business Representative: Peggy McGinnis Meeting Time/Date: 7:00 p.m. 1st Tuesday of the month

Wichita3830 S. Meridian, #B-40Wichita, KS 67217(316) 529-1012Business Representative: Mike WardMeeting Time/Date: 7:00 p.m. 1st Thursday of the month

Sedalia1216 W. 18th Street Sedalia, MO 65301(660) 826-6363Business Representative: Shawn MulliganMeeting Time/Date: 7:00 p.m. 1st Thursday of the month

Topeka3906 Northwest 16th StreetTopeka, KS 66618(785) 233-3662Business Representative: Kurt ChaffeeMeeting Time/Date: 7:00 p.m. 2nd Tuesday of the month

Springfield2545 W. Kearney Springfield, MO 65803(417) 864-6889Business Representative: Jerry McKnightMeeting Time/Date: 7:00 p.m. 2nd Wednesday of the month

Apprenticeship/TrainingP.O. Box 197Platte City, MO 64079Administrator: Mike Charlton(816) 640-2336 • Toll Free (888) 640-2336

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 101 101 Vol 23 No.1WEB(1).pdf · and output, which...

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