Drivers at XPO Logistics in Trenton, New Jersey made history of their own on Saturday, July 17 by ratifying their first contract, one week after their co-workers in Miami did the same, and the two groups now have their rights and protections in a legally binding contract for the first time.

“For the second time in one week, XPO workers ratified their first contract at XPO despite XPO management saying workers would never ratify a contract,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “These two groups’ positive contract votes give other XPO workers the hope that they too can fight and win a more secure future as Teamsters.”

“I’m proud to welcome all the XPO workers into the Freight Division, and I’m especially proud since the Trenton workers are members of my local, Local 701,” said Ernie Soehl, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division. “These two contract victories are critical in our fight to build worker power at XPO.”

“I’m happy to be joining our brothers in Miami who ratified their contract and I look forward to expanding and improving upon this two-year agreement that gives us a strong foundation to build from,” said Bruce Ryan, a linehaul driver at the former Con-way Freight and XPO since 1996. “I also look forward to bringing more XPO members into the Teamsters Union so that they can also have their rights and protections in writing.” XPO purchased Con-way in 2015 for $3 billion.

The group of 34 drivers at XPO in Trenton voted to join Local 701 in April 2017. XPO has delayed negotiations, broken labor laws, and mistreated workers, all in its attempt to deny workers their federally protected right to form their union and negotiate a contract.

The contract includes “just-cause” protections, a grievance process, successorship language, job protection language, and retirement protections, among other improvements.

Local 776 is saddened to learn of the passing of Richard “Dick” Boyd on Saturday, July 10 in York, Pa. Dick, of Glen Rock, PA, was a World War II combat veteran and longtime labor leader in Central Pennsylvania.

Dick spent more than 50 years tirelessly fighting for the rights of working men and women. He served several terms as president of United Steelworkers Local 4407, representing employees of Cole Steel in York. For 20 years, from 1987 to 2007, he was president of the York-Adams County Central Labor Council. York's Labor Day Parade and Workers Memorial Day observances were started under his leadership. He spearheaded the development and creation of the "Workers of York" statue that stands at the entrance to York's Agricultural and Industrial Museum. In 2004, he was awarded the Joseph A. Beirne Community Service Award from the United Way of America and was named Labor Leader of the Year by the United Way of Pennsylvania that same year. He was also involved in many other community organizations, including the South Central PA Workforce Investment Board, the York/Adams Drug and Alcohol Advisory Committee, the York Area Labor-Management Council, and in activities of the area's Democratic Party.

Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 18 in 1943 and served in seven countries during World War II. He was a paratrooper with the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the Battle of the Bulge. He was the author of two books: "The Bridge," about his union and military experiences, and "The River," about his memories of fishing on the Susquehanna River in the 1930s.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Sara (Strine) Boyd; daughters Rebecca Rishel and her husband Richard, and Elizabeth Thames; sons Richard and his wife, Katy, and Nicholas and his wife, Donna; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Barshinger of Lancaster County.

For his service to the labor movement and our nation, Unions thank Brother Dick Boyd. May he rest in peace.

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” – Benjamin Franklin

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. America is the greatest country on earth; we enjoy freedoms, liberties, and rights unmatched in the world. No matter how you plan to spend the July 4^th Holiday please join with me in wishing our great Nation a Happy Birthday!

Ed Thompson,

President Teamsters Local 776

“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.” – William Faulkner