The recent tragic loss of Ironworkers Local 10’s Dave Coleman has necessitated a reshuffling of the leadership at the Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council. Coleman formerly served as the president of the Building Trades. The council observed a moment of silence for Brother Coleman before proceeding into the business of the day.
The business managers of the local Building Trades had met for an emergency meeting on September 22nd. They then recommended certain individuals to the delegates of the council, which met on the 26th of September, to assume each role.
Moving forward, Aaron Brown, business manager of Operating Engineers Local 101, was voted in as the president of the organization. Bo Moreno, the business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 124, was voted in as the vice president of the organization.
Daniel Roach, the newly-named business manager of Ironworkers Local 10, and Tony Maldonado, organizer for the union, were both sworn in as delegates.
The delegates that make up the council unanimously selected and voted for the previously mentioned individuals for their roles, a sign of confidence from their peers in their abilities to carry out their assigned roles for the betterment of union membership and construction workers, more generally, in the area.
The Building Trades is, and has been, one of the most consequential organizations, politically and civically, in the Kansas City-area.
“In this tragic moment, and as we continue to grieve our fallen brother, I have full faith in the choices of this council and know that we will continue to serve our membership and persevere in our fight for better conditions for working people,” said Business Manager Ralph Oropeza.
Tristin Amezcua-Hogan is the Editor of The Labor Beacon and a member of LIUNA Local 264. Tristin also serves as the Director of Communications for the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO and the Chair of the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance.
Tristin grew up as the son of a UA Local 669 member in Tecumseh, KS and the great-nephew of George C. Amis, longtime leader of the United Rubberworkers (now USW Local 307) in Kansas. Growing up in rural Kansas as the child of teen parents, Tristin quickly came to appreciate the life-changing benefit of a union job.
Tristin and his partner, Rebeca Amezcua-Hogan, are residents of the Westside, Kansas City, MO's historic Mexican neighborhood. They are proud members of Kansas City's New Reform Temple.
