Coffee with Koontz E12: Labor Relations – Myths, Facts, and Bridging the Gaps

Description:

When you hear the story of Ed Kommers’ youth, you find yourself wondering if there’s something in the water in Butte, Montana. Among the kids on his block alone, three grew up to have careers in labor relations. As Executive Director of the MCA of Western Washington and Chair of the national Association Executives Council (AEC), Ed is certainly one of those three. Local Affiliate MCA chapters across America serve many functions and provide many services to their members but, as Ed will tell you, labor relations is truly at the core of an AEC Affiliate’s purpose. Although they differ widely, all Affiliates were created to be multi-employer bargaining units. From his beginnings as a plumber’s apprentice, Ed has built his career upon the many moving parts of labor relations; from history to law, from culture to relationships. Construction is a unique industry when it comes to labor relations, and differs greatly from much of what you may read about unions in the newspaper. Ed’s mission is to sort out the myths from the facts when it comes to construction labor relations, and to help develop understanding of how to navigate these critical relationships. Because if labor relations fall apart… everything falls apart. Join John and Ed as they explore the unique, critical, and fascinating connection between labor and mechanical contractors.