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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 240.14a-11(c) or Rule
240.14a-12
KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
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14a-6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
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Act Rule 14a-6(i)(3).
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules
14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
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Media Contact: Pam Levetzow
Phyllis Desbien
816-556-2926
IBEW LOCALS UNITE IN SUPPORT OF KCPL, UTILICORP MERGER
KANSAS CITY, MO., APRIL 24, 1996 -- Local chapters of the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have endorsed the
proposed merger of Kansas City Power & Light Company and
UtiliCorp United and are urging members to vote for the merger.
In a letter to members of Locals 412, 1464 and 1613, the union
leadership said "we believe that our best interest lies with the
merger of KCPL and UtiliCorp."
The union officials said that "to pursue a merger with Western
Resources would truly be like buying `a pig in a poke.' At the
last minute Western Resources has made an offer that can not be
reconciled with reality...their prediction on savings can only
come about by the loss of jobs. We are talking layoffs, not
attrition or retirement."
The letter noted that "in a filing with the Kansas Corporation
Commission, Western Resources reports 531 jobs will be severed at
the time of the merger. This comes just a week after publicly
stating there would be no layoffs.
"Claims of higher stock price and higher dividends are also very
suspect and unsubstantiated," the letter stated.
Drue Jennings, chairman and CEO of KCPL, said the company "is
grateful for the support of our unions, and we look forward to
working with them as we build a growth-oriented company that
intends to provide more opportunity for employees and
shareholders."
The full text of the IBEW letter accompanies this release.
IBEW INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS
Monday, April 22, 1996
To the members of Locals 412, 1464, and 1613 regarding the
proposed merger:
We have had an opportunity to review information filed by Western
Resources with the Kansas Corporation Commission as well as
information supplied by KCPL. We have jointly come to a unified
stance regarding the Western Resources offer. Additionally we
offer a joint recommendation regarding the merger with UtiliCorp
and your proxy vote.
On Monday, April 22, all of us had a meeting at our respective
locations regarding this matter. These meetings have made one
thing very clear to the leadership of your respective local
unions. We believe that our best interest lies with the merger
of KCPL and UtiliCorp. To pursue a merger with Western Resources
would truly be like buying a "pig in the poke." At the last
minute Western Resources has made an offer that can not be
reconciled with reality and is obviously only an attempt to buy
time in order to get UtiliCorp out of the Picture. Their
prediction on savings can only come about by the loss of jobs.
We are talking layoffs, not attrition or retirement. Think about
it.
The leadership of our company has planned for many months the
merger of equals and not the hostile takeover by another company.
The plans they have made are being discussed with us and the
ability to accomplish this without loss of jobs has always been
in the forefront of our discussions. Can we trust them to
continue to work with us towards this end? We think the odds on
this bet are better than the alternative. We believe our new
company will rely heavily on the people they employ to achieve
the goals they are setting forth, and this is music to our ears.
As to the offer from Western Resources, in our eyes their claims
are unjustifiable with too many unknowns. In a filing with the
Kansas Corporation Commission, Western Resources reports 531 jobs
will be severed at the time of the merger. This comes just a
week after publicly stating there would be no layoffs. Western
Resources has stated that there would be a corporate headquarters
in Kansas City. This is similar to the promises that KPL made
five years ago to KGE. We understand at that time in Wichita KGE
had 500+ employees, today that number is less than 200. Claims
of higher stock price and higher dividends are also very suspect
and unsubstantiated. Western Resources move is an attempt at a
hostile takeover as opposed to a friendly merger.
We are asking you to give the same consideration to these
conclusions that we have. We are asking you to vote your proxy
"for" the merger of UtiliCorp and KCPL. Most importantly we are
asking you to take an active part in the development of our new
company. Read all the newsletters you can and come to your union
meetings. Together we will become a force in this movement and
strive to maintain the good jobs, benefits, and seniority rights
we have earned.
Meetings will be held at each location in the next week with
Union Leaders and Company Executives to answer your questions and
concerns.
WALT LITTLE GARY PHELPS
ROBERT N. MADRIGAL JAMES WHALEN
NIGEL PECK LINDA MATHEWS
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