Building Together: A Call for Fairness and Inclusion in the New Royals Ballpark Construction | Copy of graphics for email 2 | Associated Builders & Contractors

A Letter to the KC Royals

29 March 2024

Building Together: A Call for Fairness and Inclusion in the New Royals Ballpark Construction

Dear Mr. Sherman, Executives, and KC Royals Team,

We hope this letter finds you well. We are writing on behalf of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Heart of America. Our membership includes over 260 diverse businesses in the building and contracting sectors, spanning a wide range of sizes and capacities, all dedicated to upholding the principles of free enterprise and fair competition in our industry.

We wish to express our support and excitement for the proposed new ballpark for the Kansas City Royals in the heart of Kansas City. The development promises to be a significant milestone for our community, fostering economic growth, enhancing community engagement, and continuing the Royals’ rich history and tradition in our city.

However, we also share our concerns regarding aspects of the Community Benefits Agreements (CBA) currently under negotiation. It has come to our attention that there is a push to mandate provisions that could potentially discriminate against the vast majority of workers and businesses, particularly small businesses, that choose to operate on a merit-based, non-union basis. In Missouri and Kansas, 83% and 92% of the construction workforce opt not to participate in unions. These workers and businesses are vital contributors to our local economy and the construction industry at large.

ABC Heart of America advocates for the merit shop philosophy, which promotes open competition and a free-enterprise approach to construction, allowing contracts to be awarded based on merit, regardless of labor affiliation. This principle ensures that all qualified contractors and workers have an equal opportunity to contribute to projects that shape our community, such as the new Royals ballpark.

We understand the complexities and the importance of negotiating CBAs that reflect the interests of all stakeholders involved. Yet, we firmly believe that the success of this monumental project hinges on the inclusion and fair treatment of the entire construction community. Mandating union-only labor agreements contradicts the spirit of competition and excludes a significant portion of our skilled and dedicated workforce from participating in a project of great significance to our community and its future.

Therefore, we respectfully urge the Kansas City Royals organization to consider the impact of such mandates on the broader construction community. We advocate for an approach that values fair and open competition, ensuring that all qualified businesses, regardless of their labor affiliations, can contribute to the construction of the new ballpark. Doing so would reflect our city’s inclusive spirit and ensure that the project benefits from the full range of talent and expertise available in our region.

We are eager to support this project and are hopeful for a constructive dialogue that considers the interests and concerns of all parties involved in the construction industry. We believe that together, we can achieve a solution that upholds the values of fairness, quality, and community benefit, making the new Royals ballpark a source of pride for everyone in Kansas City.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to discussing this further and finding a path forward that respects the contributions of all construction community members.

Sincerely,

Building Together: A Call for Fairness and Inclusion in the New Royals Ballpark Construction | Heart of America 02 trim | Associated Builders & Contractors