Posts tagged Kansas City
Ex-Boilermakers union executive sentenced to 16 months in federal racketeering case
October 5, 2026 // Brown pleaded guilty on May 23, 2024, to one count of racketeering conspiracy. In August 2024, seven more former union executives and employees — including Jones, his wife and son — were indicted for conspiracy to commit offenses under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, as well as other felonies. They were accused of scheming to steal $20 million in union funds for personal gain. The money went toward salary and benefits for jobs they didn’t show up for, tuition, rent, luxury international travel, meals, vacation payouts and unauthorized loans, the Justice Department said.
Sentencing for convicted ex-Boilermakers union leaders continued until December
September 2, 2026 // Court filings show the defendants requested that the sentencing date be pushed back, and Senior U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree granted the requests on Friday. That action also could affect the sentencing dates for several other former union employees who have pleaded guilty in the federal corruption and embezzlement case. A jury on June 5 convicted Jones, his wife and a retired union executive of racketeering conspiracy, embezzlement and other felonies, concluding a monthlong trial over the alleged theft of millions from the Kansas City-based International Brotherhood of Boilermakers.
KC Streetcar workers vote to unionize after record summer, expansion talks
August 20, 2026 // Batton said pay starts at $20.99 an hour for operators, and they would like higher wages. There are no formal paid sick days outside of accrued paid time off. Break schedules are also inconsistent and often shrink when the system gets busy. Between two extensions of the streetcar and record ridership during the World Cup, the system has been busy.
Progressive groups slam Royals stadium funding while labor unions back project
August 20, 2026 // Many of the speakers who opposed the project were affiliated with Missouri Workers Power, a coalition of progressive advocacy groups that is trying to force a public vote on the project. One member of the group was forcibly removed from the City Council chambers
KC Streetcar workers are unionizing after record-high passenger traffic during World Cup
July 13, 2026 // The workers would be represented by Teamsters local 955. They want higher pay, more staffing, better working hours and more safety protections on the job. The union, which could include more than 70 streetcar operators and maintenance workers if approved, would also work to get clear hiring, firing and discipline policies. Erhardt said one other priority is securing bathroom breaks, which aren’t currently guaranteed.
NC couple, execs stole $20M from union for ritzy trips, meals & salaries, jury finds
June 10, 2026 // Nearly $2 million more in salaries and benefits were paid to others for jobs that did not require them to work, including $1.8 million paid to Kateryna Jones, documents show. She got some of the money while she was dating Newton Jones and still living in Ukraine, they said. The Chapel Hill couple also enjoyed date night meals that totaled over $160,000 and charged shopping trips and other personal expenses to the union, prosecutors said. Over $5 million was spent on “unnecessary and lavish international travel,” including executive meetings held “for no apparent purpose in extravagant hotels” in Paris, Rome and other cities.
Kearney man among former union leaders convicted of embezzlement
June 9, 2026 // Prosecutors said the group used union money for no-show jobs, expensive trips, lavish meals, and other personal costs. They also said there were unearned payouts, and an unauthorized $7 million loan tied to a union-related bank.
Jury deliberations underway in KCK in Boilermakers monthlong racketeering trial
June 3, 2026 // The defendants are charged with using union funds for salaries and benefits for no-show jobs, luxury international travel, fine dining, vacation payouts and unauthorized loans. On trial are former International President Newton Jones, 72, and his wife, Kateryna, 33, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; former International Secretary-Treasurer William Creeden, 78, of Kearney, Missouri; and former International Vice President Lawrence McManamon, 78, of Rocky River, Ohio. The four defendants are among seven former union members indicted in August 2024 for conspiracy to commit offenses under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, as well as embezzlement, health care fraud, wire fraud and other felonies.
Three-quarters of USDA researchers tapped to relocate tell union they’re not going
May 11, 2026 // USDA relocated hundreds of ERS and NIFA positions to Kansas City in 2019, but about 85% of impacted employees quit their jobs or retired, rather than relocate. The American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403, which represents USDA researchers, expects to see similar results this year. An internal survey conducted by the union found that 76% of its members have indicated they are not planning to relocate. AFGE Local 3403 said in a statement that these relocations, which are expected to go into effect by the end of the summer, will trigger a “brain drain” within the department.
Boilermakers trial: Union leaders used $20M as ‘personal piggy banks,’ gov’t says
May 8, 2026 // “No foreign destination was beyond their reach,” she said. “Newton Jones hired family member after family member. His brother, sister, son, daughter and his wife, Kateryna Jones.” He also enriched himself by firing the CEO of a union-affiliated bank and putting himself in charge, Alhambra said, earning hundreds of thousands a year in that position. “All of it was illegal,” Alhambra told jurors. “And where did that money come from? It came straight from the pockets of Boilermakers members.”