Recently three Local 776 Members transferred from the work-a-day world to the retirement world. These long-term Teamsters have 112 years of Teamsters Membership among them! Steve Billet, former UPS Feeder Driver is the senior man in this trio, putting in a total of 46 years behind the wheel! Enjoy your retirement gentlemen!

Jeff Able: Jeff retired after amassing 36 years at Springettsbury township where he worked in the public works and highway departments. Jeff and his wife Linda have been married for 42 years; they have a son and a daughter, along with three grandchildren, who all are vying for Jeff’s time now that he’s retired! Keeping busy Jeff bowls in a fall/winter bowling league and also plays softball in a church league. Being around the house more now that he’s retired Jeff helps out with Linda’s home daycare center but they still find time for camping trips with their travel trailer. Thinking back Jeff stated: “It’s been great being a Teamster, I’m enjoying the retirement benefits, and enjoyed working at the Township. Best of luck in retirement Jeff, enjoy it!

Local 776 Business Agent Bill Olmeda presents Jeff with his retirement watch!

Steve Billet:  Steve started his Teamster time at the former MFX Company in York. After MFX closed Steve was hired by St. Johnsbury Trucking, where he worked for 13 years until they closed. After that, Steve was hired as a feeder driver at UPS in Harrisburg, where he remained for 30 years until retirement. During his time at UPS Steve served as a Local 776 Business Agent for three years. Steve and his wife Cynthia have 4 children, and a total of 8 grandchildren.

After driving all over the country for so many years Steve has no desire to travel the country, that is until the wanderlust kicks in! For now, he’s content to take it easy and relax working on his golf game. From everyone at Local 776 congratulations Steve, may you enjoy your retirement for as long as it took you to earn it!

Local 776 President Ed Thompson (L) and Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks present Steve with his retirement watch

Barry Warnke: Barry started his Teamster career working at the former Preston Trucking Company in York where he worked for 10 years. After the closing of the company, Barry moved on to Navistar International Truck Parts at the parts distribution center in Manchester, PA. where he worked for 20 years until his recent retirement. Barry enjoys baseball and football, something retirement will give him more time to enjoy. Barry and a friend are planning an ambitious cross-country trip to see our great country. With no job to get back to they can travel at their own pace and not worry about making it home in time to go to work! Some of the planned stops along the way are the Grand Canyon, and Hoover Dam, before ending up in Olympia, Washington, then turning around and visit more locations on the way back home.

Reflecting on his time as a Teamster Barry is proud to be a Teamster and plans on being an active retiree. He will be attending the monthly Membership Meetings and other Teamster functions to keep in touch and is eager to share his Teamster experiences with the younger Members who are just starting.

From all of us at Local 776 congratulations on your retirement Barry, We hope you enjoy it!

Local 776 Business Agent Spencer Dearth presents Barry with his retirement watch.

From Everyone at Local 776 congratulations gentlemen, enjoy your retirement!

“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.

We begin every Membership meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Join me over the Holiday to take a moment to reflect on our great country and honor her by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

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

Summer is here, the Fourth of July is the first holiday of summer. Many of us will celebrate with family and friends at the beach, in our backyards, or at community fireworks displays. No matter how you plan to spend the July 4^th Holiday please join me in wishing our great Nation a Happy Birthday!

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson,

President Teamsters Local 776

“Only in America / Where we dream in red, white and blue / Only in America / Where we dream as big as we want to.” — Brooks & Dunn

Time; it’s something you can’t control. It can’t be slowed down or sped up. As we age time seems to go by faster and faster. Already it has been eight quick months since Local 776 began daily operations from the Camp Hill building.

To help mark the passing of time the Law Offices of Ira Weinstock presented the Members of Local 776 with a commemorative clock in recognition of the new Union Hall. The clock will be positioned in the meeting room, where it can easily viewed by the Members.

Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks (L) and Jason Weinstock, from the Law firm of Ira Weinstock, admire the new timepiece.

Teamsters at Penn State University have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The resounding vote allows the negotiating committee to call a strike if Penn State refuses to offer workers a strong contract.

“It’s long past due for Penn State to get serious about offering the essential Teamsters a contract that includes fair compensation and working conditions,” said Jonathan Light, President of Teamsters Local 8. “We do not want to go on strike, but it seems as though the university does not think we are serious about our demands. This overwhelming strike vote should send a clear message that WE ARE ready to strike for what we deserve.”

The 2,500 workers at Penn State, represented by Local 8, work in custodial service, emergency medical response, food service, housing service, trades, science, athletics, agriculture, research, printing, engineering, transportation, airport services, ITS and media at University Park as well as more than 20 commonwealth campuses throughout Pennsylvania.

Teamsters Local 8 represents more than 2,500 working men and women employed at Penn State University, including over 20 commonwealth campuses throughout Pennsylvania.

Local 776 was on hand to support their fellow Teamsters at PSU at a rally held before the start of negotiations in May.