The 411 on 778

On this episode I sit down with DBR Scott Brown and we discuss the ongoing strike at Lake City. We talk about the recognition these folks are getting, what they are fighting for, and what can be done to help. If you have questions or podcast ideas please email [email protected]

On this episode I talk about why I am involved in the union and why I am proud to be union.  I would love to hear your stories of why you are proud to be union. If you would like to be featured on an episode, please email:  [email protected]

On this episode we talk with DBR Scott Brown about the upcoming sporting clay shoot. We discuss all the info about how the shoot works, when and where it is being held, as well as some of our prizes. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to be on a "Where we work" episode, please email the podcast at [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with the entire Lake City negotiating committee. We discuss their prep, dates to know, and how everyone is ready. Get ready Lake City, because your committee is! If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to be featured on an episode of "Where we work" please email [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with brothers JR Rogers and Mark Knapp. We discuss the IAM retiree convention they went to, how our local is leading the way to help other locals with their retiree meetings. They also discuss how their fundraisers went last year. Retiree meetings start back up next month, tell your retiree friends. For podcast ideas, questions, or would like to be on an episode of where we work please email: [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with all 3 business reps and discuss 2025 and all the things that has happened. We discuss what's coming up in 2026, and everything else going on in the local. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to be featured on a "Where we work" episode, please email the podcast at [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with brother Braedyn Kristensen and brother Kevin Murch. We discuss national politics. Everything from attacks on labor, attacks on unions, new labor candidates and much more. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to volunteer to be on a "where we work" episode please email [email protected]

On this episode we highlight the workers at Burd and Fletcher. We talk about their jobs, what they produce, and contract negotiations. If you have questions, podcast ideas or would like to be on an episode of "Where we Work" please email the podcast [email protected]

I sit down with the contract negotiating committee for Lake City. We discuss what changes they want to see, the training they have received, what folks can do to help, and everything people need to know. If you have questions, or podcast ideas please email [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with the new president of the local Brad Kreisel. We discuss how he got started in the union, and what led him to a leadership position. Please listen and share. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or want to be interviewed for a "Where we work" episode, please email [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with DBR Scott Brown. we discuss the Midwest staff conference he and the other business reps attended. We discuss the upcoming negotiations for CAE as well as the Olin Lake City group. I give a brief synopsis of my time at W3 for leadership training. If you have questions, suggestions, or would like to be on a "Where we work" episode please email [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with DBR Scott Brown and BR Kevin Watkinson. They just learned that one of our local dealerships that was filled with union members has been bought by the Molle auto group. They then told all of the union members that they were not being hired back. Please listen and spread the word to boycott these shops and call and demand that the hard working union members be hired and the unions be recognized.

On this episode I sit down with BR Kevin Watkinson. We discuss contract updates, and a supplemental insurance company that will be in town to sign up members. If you have questions, or would like to be on a "Where we work" episode please email [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with BR Landon Miner, as well as DBR Scott Brown. We chat about contract updates, organizing, and different things our union builds. If you have podcast ideas, questions, or would like to volunteer to be on a "Where we work" episode please email [email protected] 

On this episode I sit down with the president and vice president of our retiree's committee. Brother Dwayne Cook (president) and JR Rogers (VP). We talk about their time in the shops, what positions they've held, and how the retirees are still working for our local and community even when their working days are over. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to be featured on our "Where we work" episodes, please email [email protected]  

On this episode we talk with sister April Major. We discuss what's been going on at the local, some upcoming events, as well as some upgrades and a raffle. If you have podcast ideas, questions, or would like to be interviewed for a "Where we work" episode, please email [email protected] 

On this episode we talk with sister Brenda Craven out of our Lake City shop. We discuss her reasoning for joining the union, her help with the internal organizing efforts, as well as why she stays involved. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to be interviewed for one of our "Where we work" episodes please email the podcast @[email protected]

On this episode we discuss the 2025 Missouri State Council of Machinists, the attacks on all unions currently happening, as well as a few ballot measures coming up for vote on April 8th. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to be interviewed for a "where we work" episode please email [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with development associate Rainie Williams with Guide Dogs of America. We discuss everything about the organization. How the organization first started, their partnership with Tender Loving Canines, the whole process of creating a service dog, ways everyone can help, and everything in between. If you'd like more information on this great organization please go to www.guidedogsofamerica.org. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to be on the podcast for a "Where we work" episode, please email [email protected]  

Here are the meeting minutes for the February 2025 Local 778 meeting. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to be interviewed for a "Where we work" episode, please email them to [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with the Assistant Director for the William Winpisinger Center brother Joe Gruber. I am also joined by brother Wyatt Cumpton, as well as sister April Major. Brother Gruber came into town for training at our local the week of February 10th. He spent Monday and Tuesday giving officer training our E-board members. Then Wednesday he provided steward training to the new stewards in our local. This training is instrumental to how our local operates, as well as how our stewards represent our members. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to volunteer to be on an episode please email [email protected]  

Here are the minutes of the January local 778 meeting. If you have any questions, podcast ideas, or would like to be interviewed for the podcast please email [email protected].

On this episode we sit down with brother Tyler Gibson, as well as brother Joe Esther from UPS to discuss their jobs. If you have podcast ideas, or general questions you would like answered on this podcast please email them to [email protected]

We sat down with all 3 business reps for local 778 and discussed how their year went, and what they have upcoming in the new year. We also touch base on our union hall's upcoming "face lift", as well as what the plans are to help the membership in the upcoming year. If you have podcast ideas, would like to be a guest, or have other general questions please email them to [email protected]

On this episode we sit down with DBR Scott Brown and talk about 401k's. We discuss why everyone needs one, how they work, why if we don't partake in them the company puts that money back in their pockets. If you have podcast ideas, or questions please email them to [email protected] 

Here are the meeting minutes for the November lodge 778 meeting. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to be on one of our "where we work" episodes pleas email [email protected]

On this episode I talk with sister April Major who went to the W3 center for advanced leadership training. I was also joined by brother Braedyn Kristensen and brother Brad Kreisel who went for the train the trainer training. We discuss what they learned, as well as why they continue to advance their leadership training. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to volunteer to be on the podcast to talk about where you work, please email [email protected].

On this episode we talk with the chair of our local's veteran committee brother Carlos Rentas, as well as the assistant coordinator of veterans services brother Bryan Stymacks. We discuss how the impact of their service to our country is helping our union to lead the way in helping our veterans get the benefits they deserve. The discussion we have is inspirational, and really shows how just a few union members with ideas can make a HUGE impact on everyone not just in our union, but the whole country. If you want more information on veterans services, please reach out to our local's headquarters. If you have questions or podcast ideas please email them to [email protected]. Happy Veterans Day and thank you for your service. 

Here are the meeting minutes for the October local meeting. Please send all questions and podcast ideas to our email.  [email protected]

On this episode we sit down and talk with the chair of our local's veteran committee Carlos Rentas. We discuss his time in the military, his time at the W3 center, as well as the exciting opportunities coming soon for all veterans. If you would like to get ahold of Carlos, have questions, or ideas for the podcast please email [email protected]

On this episode of where we work, I sit down with brother Manny Ryan and talk about Labconco. We talk about what the company does, how many people work there, as well as his involvement in our local. If you're interested in being interviewed for an episode of where we work, or have questions, or ideas, please email the podcast directly at [email protected].

This episode is the meeting minutes for the September 2024 local lodge meeting. For any questions, or podcasts ideas, please email the podcast directly at [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with brothers Louie Lyons and John Fritz. They both attended Leadership II at the W3 center. We talk about what they learned and why they want to continue their leadership education. If you have any questions, or podcast ideas please email them to [email protected]  

On this episode we talk to some of the brothers who are helping with the internal organizing efforts at Lake City. We talk about several topics like, why they joined, why they're stewards, and what everyone can do to help. If anyone has questions, podcast ideas, or interest in anything with our local, please email [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with DBR Scott Brown and we discuss some work going on at the local. We talk about organizing, the city of Blue Springs contract, a new committee he has started, and more. If you have questions or ideas for future podcast episodes please email them to [email protected]

On this episode we sit down and talk with Midwest territory representative Kevin Murch. We discuss his background in the union, what he does now, the H.E.L.P.S. committee, as well as other topics. If you have any questions or podcast ideas please email them to [email protected]

On this episode it's our 2nd episode of where we work. I sit down with brothers Brian Pinks and Richard Bruce who work at SPX in Olathe Kansas. We discuss everything about the work they do, what they produce, how the union has helped, as well as their involvement with the upcoming contract negotiations. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for the podcast please email them to [email protected]

Here are the meeting minutes for the July local meeting. If you have any questions or podcast ideas please email them to [email protected]

On this episode brother Braedyn and I sit down with brother Kyle Gibson and sister Diana Dierking. These two were selected to go to the harbor for leadership 1 training a few weeks back. We discuss how their training went as well as what kind of things they learned, and people they met. For any questions or podcast ideas please email  [email protected] 

Here is the meeting recap of the June 2024 Local Lodge 778 meeting. There is a lot of information discussed. Opportunities are available to help out in our community, as well as some benefits available to us though fundraisers. If you have any questions, or podcast ideas please email them to [email protected]

On this episode we sit down with the president of the KC AFL/CIO Duke Dujakovich. We discuss his background, the history of the organization, meetings, and everything about the AFL/CIO. If you have any questions, podcast ideas, or would like to volunteer to be interviewed for our "Where we work" episodes, please email the podcast at [email protected]

I chat with Niki Montgomery from Working Families Friend. I learn about the history of her organization, and all the amazing work they do. If you would like to help out please go to wffriend.org. If you have any questions or ideas for future podcast episodes please email them to [email protected]

Here are the minutes for the April Local Lodge 778 meeting. The next meeting will be on May 11th 2024.

I sit down with Brother Braedyn Kristensen, and DBR Scott Brown, and discuss the roles of a steward and why it is a very important role in our union. As well as what you can do to help your steward out. If you have any questions or ideas for the podcast please email me directly at [email protected]

On this episode I sit down with all 3 business reps and get updates on what's going on in our shops, as well as contract updates. If you have any questions or ideas for future episodes, please email the podcast.  [email protected]

On this episode we introduce brother Braedyn Kristensen. Braedyn is Local 778's educator. We discuss a hot topic right now, ratification votes, and strikes. If you have questions, or ideas for future podcasts please email them to [email protected]

On this episode I interview Vinny Ceraso. He is the director of addiction services. We discuss all the work our union does to help members and their families that are struggling. There are free services out there to help, so please reach out if you, or a family member, is in need. If you have questions, podcast ideas, or would like to volunteer to be interviewed please email us at [email protected]

The meeting recap for the February 2024 Local Lodge 778 meeting

DBR Scott Brown addresses the tragedy after the Chiefs celebration parade. We will have our counselors at the hall this weekend to help those in need. This is a free service to all of our members and their families.

On this 1st episode of our new series, I talk with sister Diana Dierking about where she works, Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. We discuss the history, her roles, what they produce, and what jobs they have to offer. If you would like to discuss where you work in Local 778 please email us at [email protected]