On June 24^th and 25^th, Local 776 Business Agents David Licht and Spencer Dearth cheered truck drivers represented by Teamsters Local 776 and other Local Unions participating in Pennsylvania’s 35^th annual Truck Driving Championships hosted by Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association in Pocono Manor, PA. During the two-day event, drivers were judged in three areas: a written test, pre-trip inspection, and of course, their driving skills. The drivers showed off their driving skills in nine classes, including Straight Truck, Twins, Three-Axle, Four-Axle, Five-Axle, Sleeper, Tanker, Flatbed, and Step Van.

Two drivers tied for the high score on the written test, including Matt Fletcher, a Teamster driver for Martin Brower. 

John Brownawell from Yellow Freight recorded a high score in the Pre-Trip Exam portion of the competition.

Also placing in 1^st place in Straight Truck was Leonard Monette, UPS,

1^st place in Twins - John Brownawell, Yellow Freight,

3^rd place in Five Axle - Matt Fletcher, Martin Brower,

1^st place in Sleeper - James Campbell, TForce Freight,

3^rd place in Sleeper - Bryan Krol, Martin Brower,

2^nd place in Tanker - Douglas Lang, Yellow Freight,

1^st place in Step Van - T.J. Altland, UPS

Winners in each class will represent Pennsylvania at the National Truck Driving Championships on August 16-19, 2022, in Indianapolis, IN.

Participating Teamsters from Yellow Freight included: Earl Confer, John Brownawell, Wesley Hoch, Chase Carignan, Don Sauter, Ron Ringler, Wayne Mahler, Wendall Taylor, and Doug Lang.     

From TForce Freight: Stacey Lane, Jimmy Campbell, Rick Biesecker, Kevin McCauley, Daniel Bailey, Bill Bennett III, and Chris Sutton.     

From UPS: Cody Celio, Ron Kreiger, Colt Seltzer, John Cataldi, Roberto Esquivel, Tyra French, Joe Green, Robert Springer, Bernard (Bernie) Wanyo, TJ Altland, Irene Rosario, Leonard Monette, Daniel Bachman, Jason Pecho, and Shawn Shanahan.

From Martin Brower: Bryan Krol, Matt Fletcher, John Digicomo

Teamsters from TForce Freight.....

UPS...

And Yellow Freight were on hand showing their skills

Friends and family came out to cheer on their favorite drivers!

Congratulations to all the drivers who took first place in their respective divisions!

To view additional photos from the Truck Driving Championship please visit the "Photo Gallery".

Recently Local 776 Business Agent Dave Vrona and the Hershey Medical Center negotiating team reached a tentative agreement with Hershey Medical Center on a new three-year collective bargaining agreement. Voting on the tentative agreement took place June 28, 29, and 30, at which time the votes were tabulated. The agreement was approved by the membership by approximately 60% of the voting members. For more details, follow the link below:

HMC Contract Ratification.

On behalf of the Officers, Business Agents, and staff of Local 776 I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July. We enjoy freedoms, liberties, and rights unmatched in the world.

The pandemic still is with us, inflation is at record levels, and supply chain issues continue to be a challenge. Americans are hard working, resilient workers, and as with other difficulties we have faced over time these current problems will be overcome. It is all of us working together, looking out for our families, our friends and co-workers, and others in our communities that will see us through. When things look bleakest that is when our spirit, our will to overcome shines through the most.

Now mater how you plan to spend the July 4^th Holiday take a moment to Honor America and join with me in wishing our great Nation a Happy Birthday!

“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” Abraham Lincoln

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson, President Teamsters Local 776