By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Unions in Missouri and Kansas have merged to form a new Missouri and Kansas Laborers’ District.
The Eastern and Western Missouri District Councils of the Laborers International Union of North America have merged, affecting members in Local 264 in the Kansas City Metro, Local 663 in 35 western Missouri counties (offices in Kansas City and Clever, Local 579 in the St. Joseph area, Local 1290 for all of Kansas and Local 1290 PE covering many public employees in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
The new District Council will have offices in both the Kansas City and St. Louis areas.
“Our members’ relationship with each local hasn’t changed,” Tim Bell, Secretary-Treasurer for the Missouri and Kansas Laborers’ District Council, said in a written statement issued by the council. “While some smaller locals have merged into nearby halls, overall operations and jurisdictions remain the same.”
The newly formed Missouri and Kansas Laborers District Council represents more than 13,000 LIUNA members in 14 locals. Leaders of the two former councils approved the merger on March 9th. The new district council executive board consists of members from both former districts.
“This change creates a singular, unified voice in Missouri politics and greatly increases our organizing abilities throughout Missouri and Kansas. This merger is a benefit to our members and strengthens our union.” Brandon Flinn, Business Manager for the new Missouri and Kansas Laborers’ District Council, said in a written statement. “This merger will make it easier, more seamless, to do business with us. Now that we are administering our business with a united, two-state approach to better serve the members; we will be more effective politically at the state and local levels, and more effective in organizing as a united front.”
Business Manager: Brandon Flinn; Secretary-Treasurer: Tim Bell; President: Patrick Pryor; Vice-President: Reginald Thomas; Executive Board: Sam Simmons, Jason Mendenhall, Ian Bedell, Jason Estes, Brad Turner, Mitch Rowley, and Don Willey; Auditor: Jeremy Hendrickson, Trent Ely, Tim Borneman; Sergeant-At-Arms: Ricky Kline.