Union workers protest Port Kansas City over wage, training dispute

Workers demand Port KC implement better standards on all projects

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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More than 100 union workers gathered outside Kansas City's City Hall on Wednesday to protest against the Kansas City Port Authority (Port KC). The workers are demanding that Port KC implement Missouri prevailing wage standards and apprenticeship requirements on all Port KC projects, as agreed to in an August 2025 deal with the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council. The union claims Port KC has not upheld its end of the agreement, leading to the protest.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between unions and economic development agencies over worker protections and local hiring practices. The protest also comes after Port KC recently cut ties with a developer over plans to sell a warehouse to the federal government for an ICE detention facility, raising broader questions about the agency's priorities.

The details

The protesters chanted 'Hey, hey, ho, ho, John Stephens gotta go,' referring to the Port KC president and CEO. Union representatives handed out flyers demanding Port KC implement Missouri prevailing wage standards and ensure all apprentices on Port KC projects are enrolled in registered apprenticeship programs and supervised by experienced journeymen. The union claims Port KC's alleged lack of wage and apprenticeship standards is 'watering down' the area's guidelines, especially when workers from other states are coming to Kansas City instead of local workers.

  • The protest took place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
  • Port KC is scheduled to hold a meeting on February 23, 2026, where the union hopes to see movement on their demands.

The players

Port KC

The economic development agency for the Kansas City Port Authority.

Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council

A council representing 17 construction trades unions in the Kansas City area.

John Stephens

The president and CEO of Port KC.

Ralph Oropeza

The business manager of the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council.

Brian Schaaf

An organizer for IBEW local 124.

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What they’re saying

“'This isn't a union versus non-union thing. This is local workforce. Why are we not putting our kids to work here in Kansas City, so they have a good career ahead of them? One of the best ways to stop crime is to give people careers. Building trades gives really good careers.'”

— Ralph Oropeza, trade council's business manager (kansascity.com)

“'We get a lot of out of town contractors that are coming in and doing that work. It puts us at a competitive disadvantage, workers in the Kansas City area. That's the main goal, is to try and get some sort of typical prevailing wage language on projects that get developed through the KC Port.'”

— Brian Schaaf, organizer for IBEW local 124 (kansascity.com)

What’s next

The union hopes the protest message will reach Port KC's February 23 meeting, and if there is no movement then, they plan to 'advance and escalate from there'.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between unions and economic development agencies over worker protections and local hiring practices. It also raises broader questions about Port KC's priorities and transparency, especially after its recent decision to cut ties with a developer over plans to sell a warehouse for an ICE detention facility.