In this episode, we continue the conversation centered on the JetBlue organizing campaign and the potential impact of a union on the company.  

Joined by International Representative Charlie Hines and BOS Inside organizer Richard Jarvis, Co-Host Lou Gilmore delves deeper into the reasons why ramp agents at JetBlue require a union and a clear, defined contract. 

Guests: Charlie Hines, IAM International Representative, Richard Jarvis, JetBlue Inside Organizing Committee.

Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Crosscheck.

Funding from Alex Gerulis and Oversight by Mike Klemm. 

Machinists Connections is a product of District 141 of the IAM Union, District 141 Media Department.

This week's episode takes a shift and connects with IAM Union's current organizing campaign going on at JetBlue.  

Cohost Lou Gilmore has a heartfelt conversation with Andrew Garmeson and Jerrell Stephney from the JetBlue organizing campaign. Andrew is an 18-year veteran of American Airlines, having worked with the International Organizing department for the last two years. Jerrell is a current JetBlue employee and a member of the inside committee at BOS International Airport.

This episode highlights some of the struggles with organizing and the strategies the IAM uses to overcome them.

Guests: Andrew Garmeson: IAM Organizer, Jerrell Stephney: JetBlue Inside Organizing Committee.  

Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Crosscheck.

Funding from Alex Gerulis and Oversight by Mike Klemm. 

Machinists Connections is a product of District 141 of the IAM Union, District 141 Media Department.

This episode sheds light on the role and responsibilities of the office of the President of a Local.  Cohost Lou Gilmore takes an in-depth dive into the responsibility of a Local President, how they work hand in hand with the Recording Secretary and Secretary Treasurer.  

Special Guest Tim Nestler, who is the current President of Local 368 in Miami, Florida, joins us to shed light on this critical role on any local executive board.  He also gives details on the work he has been doing within legislative and MNPL departments.  

Guests: Tim Neslter, Local 386 President
Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Crosscheck.

Funding from Alex Gerulis and Oversight by Mike Klemm. 

Machinists Connections is a product of District 141 of the IAM Union, District 141 Media Department.

This episode is the first installment of a series that provides our members with insight into the various officers that comprise a Local Executive Board.  

We had the pleasure of chatting with Local 1725 Recording Secretary (RS), Josh Stone from Charlotte, NC.  Brother Stone provided us with insight into the duties of the RS and the pivotal support they offer to the local.  

Guests: Josh Stone, Local 1725 Recording Secretary 
Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Crosscheck.

Funding from Alex Gerulis and Oversight by Mike Klemm. 

Machinists Connections is a product of District 141 of the IAM Union, District 141 Media Department.

In this episode, we examine the methods and tactics employed by labor unions in negotiations.  Our guest, Faysal Silwany, Vice President East for United Airlines and a member of the current negotiations committee for United, provides insight into the process of how IAM Union District 141 negotiates a contract, from the survey season to the ratification vote.  

Guests: Faysal Silwany, VP East United Airlines
Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Crosscheck.

Funding from Alex Gerulis and Oversight by Mike Klemm. 

Machinists Connections is a product of District 141 of the IAM Union, District 141 Media Department.

With this episode, we are back at that time of year for the Adolf Stutz Memorial Scholarship.  Cohost Lou Gilmore sits down with Frank Caciato from BCI Communications to discuss the profound impact that this Scholarship Essay Contest has on the lives of our fellow members and their families.   

The Scholarship is open, and the deadline to submit is midnight on July 15, 2025. For more information and to obtain the submission forms, please visit 

https://iam141.org/the-2025-adolph-stutz-scholarship-essay-contest-is-now-underway/

Guests: Frank Caciato, Bleiweiss Communications, Inc.
Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Crosscheck.

Funding from Alex Gerulis and Oversight by Mike Klemm. 

Machinists Connections is a product of District 141 of the IAM Union, District 141 Media Department.

This starts a new weekly segment called "Machinist Monday Motivation".  

Each Monday, we will have a short moment of motivation to start our week with positive energy to set the tone for a successful week focused on an attitude of gratitude.  

This week's motivation focuses on silencing the background noise of the aviation industry as of late and developing a daily practice to unplug from sensationalized media.

Credits:

Guests: 

Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Crosscheck.

Funding from Alex Gerulis and Oversight by Mike Klemm. 

Machinists Connections is a product of District 141 of the International Associations of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 141 Media Department.

This is an audio recording of the United Negotiations Update that the Negotiations Committee put out in print on Jan 14th, 2025.

Credits:

Voiced by: Lou Gilmore

Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Crosscheck.

Funding from Alex Gerulis and Oversight by Mike Klemm. 

Machinists Connections is a product of District 141 of the International Associations of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 141 Media Department.

This week's episode finds Brian and Lou having the pleasure of talking with District 141 MNPL Director Dave Roderick.  

Dave, Brian, and Lou dive into the Machinist Nonpartisan Political League (MNPL) and how it helps IAM members support labor-friendly candidates in the political arena. 

This conversation is built around education on how the IAM chooses the candidates we endorse.   

Credits:

Guests: Dave Roderick, District 141 MNPL Director.

Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Crosscheck.

Funding from Alex Gerulis and Oversight by Mike Klemm. 

Machinists Connections is a product of District 141 of the International Associations of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 141 Media Department.

This episode finds Lou Gilmore candidly conversing with AGC Mark Baskett from American Airlines.  Mark goes over the details of the recent economic  2-year extension.  This two-year extension comes ahead as an option to extend the current contract that our Association members have with American Airlines while bringing them up to the industry-leading in wages and retirement contributions. 

This episode aims to dispel any myths and answer as many of our members' frequently asked questions as possible about the details of this two-year economic package. 

Voting will begin on October 25th at 12:00 noon Central Time and continue until October 29th at 12 noon Central Time.  Balatpoint will conduct the vote, and members will receive their PINs via US mail and AA email.  

Credits:

Guests: Mark Baskett District 141 AGC American Airlines.

Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Crosscheck.

Funding from Alex Gerulis and Oversight by Mike Klemm. 

Machinists Connections is a product of District 141 of the International Associations of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 141 Media Department.