Working Together for Successful Relationships

A mix of Louisville Water Company and Local 1683 members recently returned from the 2024 Kentucky Labor-Management (KLM) Conference. The program is held every year at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park in western Kentucky. The goal is to provide a neutral setting where union members and management have the opportunity for productive conversations.

Louisville Water was a gold sponsor of this year’s KLM conference. Distribution Operations Director Joe Schmitt, Employee and Labor Relations Manager Kendall Boyd, Local 1683 President David Jared and Vice President Homer Barger, Senior Repair Leader Mike Sweat, and garage master mechanics Brad Mattingly and Chris Woolums attended.

The conference offered insights and discussions about a range of topics including the state labor cabinet’s work, hiring and retaining employees, health and safety priorities, and the stresses that both managers and union employees can face.

“Mental health and employee wellbeing were a big part of it, especially when it comes to substance abuse disorders,” said Boyd. “Ensuring that organizations are not only listening to its employees, but also implementing processes and resources to help employees be more successful was the consistent message for conference participants.”

The changing vision of how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) fits into the workplace was also on the agenda. As some major employers across the country are moving away from DEI efforts, Boyd shared his thoughts on the state of DEI in Kentucky and how it impacts companies, labor unions, and recruitment.

“I had 50 to 60 participants, mostly Caucasian males. They were very receptive to the message because it was more about how you incorporate DEI in today’s political climate into your everyday operations whether you’re a labor union or you’re an organization. We’re seeing an anti-DEI push across the nation.”

Jared said it was the best presentation in his opinion, and others agreed.

“Everyone who attended his presentation said it was the best DEI presentation they’ve ever been to. People from Ford (Motor Company) said they loved it,” Jared shared.

“There’s a lot of work to be done in the DEI space but that wasn’t the main focus of the conference,” Boyd said, adding that the conference emphasized “a message of unity between management and labor unions.”

To foster that mission, KLM built in time for groups to enjoy recreational activities such as fishing, golfing, and cornhole.