IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION congratulating Jim Kabell upon his selection by Labor's Educational and Political Club Independent as "Organized Labor's Representative of the Year 2001"
Intro
RESOLUTION # 13631, March 26, 2001
INTRODUCED BY Victor E. Callahan, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Labor's Educational and Political Club Independent (LEPCI) Board voted unanimously to honor Jim Kabell, along with Bobby Davidson, as "Organized Labor's Representative of the Year 2001," for his successful efforts to ensure that 1500 Associated Wholesale Grocers union members retained their jobs, jobs that were threatened by a management lock-out; and,
WHEREAS, Jim assisted in orchestrating a masterful public relations campaign that captured the interest of the news media, allied the public on the side of the union, and united support from organized labor; and,
WHEREAS, he argued skillful appeals that convinced arbitrators and gained the support of the National Labor Relations Board; and,
WHEREAS, Jim was introduced to the Teamsters Union by his father, George Hall, a twenty-year member of Teamsters Local Union 823 of Joplin; and,
WHEREAS, Jim carried the proud Teamsters tradition to Associated Wholesale Grocers when he joined the company in 1972, and became an active Teamster of Local 245; and,
WHEREAS, two years after joining Local 245, Jim was elected Union Steward by his co-workers, only to be elected Vice President four years later on a slate headed by long-time Springfield Teamster, Bernard Morris, who one year after that recognized Jim's talents and hired him as a full-time Business Agent; and,
WHEREAS, Jim's hard work and know-how paid off in 1990 when he was elected President of Local 245, followed by his election as Secretary-Treasurer and Business Manager of the Local in 1994, and later that same year his succession of Bernard Morris as Trustee of Teamsters Joint Council 56, a position he now holds; and,
WHEREAS, in 1995, Jim served as a Trustee of the Missouri-Kansas Conference of Teamsters, and in 1997 he succeeded Phil Young, Vice-President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and was elected President of the Missouri-Kansas Conference; and,
WHEREAS, in 1999, Jim was re-elected President of the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Teamsters, a conference with a membership of approximately 50,000; and,
WHEREAS, Jim and his wife Pat have worked together at Teamsters Local 245 for 18 years, and together they have five children and two grandchildren; and,
WHEREAS, Jim and Bobby Davidson devoted many hours to negotiations in an effort to bring Associated Wholesale Grocers and Teamsters Union members together; and,
WHEREAS, LEPCI's President Bill Richardson stated "The actions of these two outstanding labor leaders is a warning to all corporate offices that union officials cannot be compromised when representing their members on critical issues; it was a victory that will be of benefit to all unions in the future;" and,
WHEREAS, on April 6, 2001 at 7:30pm, LEPCI will host a dinner in honor of Jim Kabell and Bobby Davidson, at Harrah's Casino and Hotel in North Kansas City, because the committee believes strongly that organized labor is indebted to these two labor leaders for their accomplishments; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature hereby congratulates Jim Kabell upon his selection by Labor's Educational and Political Club Independent, as "Organized Labor's Representative of the Year for 2001."
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________ ___________________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution # 13631 of March 26, 2001 was duly passed on ____________March 26________________, 2001 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______8__________ Nays ______0_______
Abstaining ______0_______ Absent _____1_______
______________________ _____________________________________
Date Mary Jo Brogoto, Clerk of Legislature