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| Posted on Tue, Aug. 08, 2006 | | ||||
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| LABOR SCENE Longtime Kansas labor chief retiring Columnist
After nearly 20 years as leader of the Kansas AFL-CIO, Jim DeHoff is retiring at the end of the month. DeHoff will be succeeded as executive secretary-treasurer of Kansas AFL-CIO by Andy Sanchez of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 226 in Topeka. DeHoff, 61, is concluding a career in the labor movement that began in 1964. Before becoming the state’s top union official in Topeka, he was business manager of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 441 for 13 years. In addition to lobbying the state Legislature in Topeka, DeHoff said he has been busy for the last year trying to bring the unions that broke away from the AFL-CIO back into the fold at the state level. Several big unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the Teamsters, left the national AFL-CIO last year to form their own labor organization, called Change to Win. In Kansas, the SEIU has rejoined the state AFL-CIO, according to DeHoff. He added that the Laborers union, which also joined Change to Win, also works closely with Kansas AFL-CIO. “He’s carried our water as much as anyone in labor since I’ve been around,” said Rick Greeno of the Construction & General Laborers Local 1290 in Kansas City, Kan., at a recent meeting of union and media representatives in Kansas City. DeHoff admits he’s departing during a period that has been difficult for organized labor. “We’ve had our ups and downs, and we’ve had to work harder than before to maintain the benefits we’ve gained,” he said. “There also has been some bad legislation that hurts families in this state. But nevertheless, we’ve maintained a pretty good standard for working people, and we’ve made some pretty good gains through the years.” DeHoff said Sanchez, his successor, has been a lobbyist for the state employees of Kansas for the last eight years, making him no stranger to the inner workings of the state legislature. DeHoff said the key for unions in the future is to resolve the differences that created last year’s split. “I’m sure the labor movement will survive, but right now it’s about getting everybody back together again,” he said. Labor certificates The Institute for Labor Studies is offering courses at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the fall semester. The following two courses apply as credit toward a labor studies certificate: “Union Leadership and Administration” will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on alternate Saturdays, beginning Sept. 9; and “Labor in Society and Politics” will be offered on Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m., beginning Aug. 23. “Spanish for Union Organizers” also is available as a noncredit course on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. starting Aug. 24. A new daytime economics class, “Introduction to Labor Studies,” will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., starting Aug. 22. Fees for undergraduates are $801.05 for one course and $1,572.11 for two courses. The fees for noncredit participants are one-half the undergraduate rate. For more information, call (816) 235-1470. To reach Randolph Heaster, call (816) 234-4746 or send e-mail to rheaster@kcstar.com. | ||||||
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