Please see below for important information from the IBT concerning the Yellow Corp. Bankruptcy Proceedings:

Recently, Local 776 mailed the Summer 2025 Edition of the 776 Review to the Membership. If you missed it because you were away on vacation or the USPS lost it, fear not! It is available in the downloads section of the website under Member Resources.

 UPS bowed to a credible, coordinated strike threat authorized by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters around midnight last week after the union demanded the multibillion-dollar corporation cease multiple attacks on workers’ rights. With picket lines ready to assemble in the early morning hours on Tuesday across seven states, the Teamsters secured a handful of settlements from UPS on outstanding grievances as well as a first contract for newly organized workers. At the direction of General President Sean M. O’Brien, Teamsters were prepared to strike UPS at its largest air hub, Worldport, in Louisville, Ky., and across the Chicago area, and to extend picket lines to California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Ohio if UPS did not retreat.

“The Teamsters have lost all patience with UPS’s ongoing attacks on our members’ rights and our contracts. The gloves are off,” O’Brien said. “Since the ratification of our National Master Agreement in 2023, UPS has displayed disdain and shameless disrespect for the workforce. They have refused to settle grievances, are overworking drivers and part-time members, have failed miserably to deliver heat relief, and are illegally trying to pay off our members. Our union’s actions on Monday and Tuesday are just the beginning of an aggressive new chapter for the Teamsters at UPS. We will be UPS’s conscience.”

In Louisville, the Teamsters’ strike threat pushed UPS to resolve grievances affecting workers at Worldport’s Aircraft Maintenance Distribution Center (AMDC). For more than a year, UPS has ignored or delayed grievances that would honor and preserve AMDC members’ work, regularly diverting airport distribution services to workers paid a lower rate. The affected members of Teamsters Local 89 will now handle all originally assigned work along with its sister union, Teamsters Local 2727, under a settlement agreement UPS acquiesced to late Monday night.

In Chicago, Teamsters Local 705 achieved a first contract for administrative and specialist workers — a group similarly ignored by the delivery giant until strike lines were organized. The new classification of workers will be elevated to earn the top wage rate for their respective job duties.

On Friday, as O’Brien made clear to UPS that the Teamsters Union was prepared to take a more militant approach to resolve worker mistreatment, the company bowed as well and agreed to settle outstanding grievances regarding seniority issues and workplace safety at Teamsters Local 20 in Toledo and Teamsters Local 455 in Denver.

“There’s only one thing that UPS cares about, and that’s money. Their behavior at the corporate level as of late proves it. Executive bonuses. Stock buybacks. These things are far more important to CEO Carol Tomé than the rights and livelihood of the men and women who deliver all those packages,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. “Our members around the nation should be proud of themselves for taking a stand against runaway corporate greed. UPS wasn’t ready, but behind the scenes, the Teamsters were. Let this be a warning to UPS that in any state, at any facility, the Teamsters are prepared to fight back against continued abuse of our members.”

While the Teamsters’ latest strike threat moved UPS to resolve myriad issues in several states, the logistics corporation is still violating the union’s National Master Agreement around the country. Since mid-July, UPS has bribed full-time drivers with illegal buyout offers to leave the company before retirement — another profit-fueled scheme being rejected by members.

Under Article 18 of the Teamsters contract, UPS is obligated to deliver at least 28,000 vehicles equipped with air conditioning. The upgraded language marked a significant win for delivery workers, who face extreme heat conditions for months on-end to ensure the company remains successful. Halfway into the agreement, UPS is woefully behind, having rolled out far less than 10 percent of the required new fleet.

Under Article 37, rank-and-file Teamsters are protected from being forced to work more than 9.5 hours per day; or UPS is required to pay significant penalties to compensate workers for the additional hazard and time. In the first six months of the year, UPS has already been forced to pay tens of millions of dollars in penalty wages to workers, despite the corporation’s disgusting attempts to pay off Teamsters to quit their jobs. Under Article 22, UPS is obligated to create at least 22,500 new full-time positions, but as with its heat relief measures, the multibillion-dollar company remains far behind.

“The enforcement of our national contract must now only heat up. We need all members ready to punch back at a moment’s notice,” O’Brien said. “The Teamsters demand that UPS make good now on delivering thousands of additional vehicles with air conditioning to our local unions in Zone 1, the hottest working environments for delivery drivers in the nation. UPS is fully and finally out of time to do right by our members. No more excuses, no more delays.”

Recently, two Local 776 members retired after both amassing over thirty years of service. The Members worked in different industries: freight and airline maintenance. Still, both attest to their longevity at their respective employers because of being Teamsters and working under exceptional contracts, earning good wages, benefits, and having outstanding representation. Let's meet these Retirees:

Maynard Bertolet retired from ABF Freight on August 1st after 35 years of working for Union Carriers. Maynard started working at Pilot Freight Carriers in 1987, with stops along the way at St Johnsbury and Redstar. For over 35 years, he worked as a dock worker, yard worker, city driver, and road driver. While driving, Maynard amassed over 1 million miles as a road driver and 15,000 hours as a city driver, with no accidents.

Maynard and his wife, Susan, who is still working, have one son and presently no grandkids. They are in the process of restoring a 105-year-old house that includes four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and 44 windows throughout the home. Once Susan retires, there will be time for trips to the beach, vacations, and taking it easy.

Looking back, Maynard reflected, "It's a difficult job; the guys I worked with made it possible to get through. Our Local Union representation is outstanding. I'm pleased with Ron (Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks) and the job he has done as our BA. I'm very thankful that our Union contract allowed me to retire early."

Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks congratulates Maynard on his retirement.

Greg Swartz retired from Piedmont Airlines after accruing 34 years of service at the airline. Along the way, Greg worked in all aspects of aircraft maintenance: he was an avionics technician for 14 years, a mechanic for 12 years. Lastly, he worked as a quality control technician for 8 years until his retirement. Greg is a former military officer; he served as an MP (military police) officer while serving our country. Greg credits his military training in enforcing rules as a big help on the job, dealing with aircraft maintenance and safety. Greg’s military time carries over to his home life, where he has four cats: General Maisy, Colonel Boo, Lieutenant Gray, and Sergeant Striker. Sergeant Striker seems to be the family leader, volunteering for the point position on family missions!

With retirement comes free time, and Greg is using some of it to catch up on his retirement list of things to do, taking it easy and enjoying life.

Looking back, Greg commented, “I’d like to thank Piedmont for a 34-year career, and all the overtime they provided to help buy my house! I’m proud to retire as a Teamster; they are a great group. Former BA Eddie Sutton, my present BA Mark Cicak, and my Steward Andy Barnes were always there for me, helping me with their support and friendship, and to win my 3” high stack of grievances filed over the years!”

Local 776 Recording Secretary Mark Cicak (L) congratulates Greg on his retirement.