The York/Adams County Central Labor Council held its annual Labor Day Fishing Derby at Kiwanis Lake. Twenty-six participants competed in two age groups (1-8 & 9-15) to win 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-place trophies in each. Categories were for the biggest fish (25-1/2 inches) and most fish caught (4). 

Two of the big fish that were caught. Those smiles are almost as big as the fish!

After the trophy presentation, each fishing derby participant received a brand-new fishing rod and reel courtesy of Teamsters Local 776. The York/Adams County Central Labor Council, along with Local 776 retired Business Agents Kittie Hake and Dave Wolf, can't thank Teamsters Local 776 enough for their continued support of the annual Derby. There were a lot of smiles!

These two fisher-kids were the 1- 9-year-old winners!

These future fishing pros were the 9-15-year-old winners!

Everybody was a winner! Everybody's showing off their new rod and reel with a big smile!

Commented Local 776 President Spencer Dearth: " I want to thank retirees Kittie Hake and Dave Wolf for taking the time on the Holiday to spend time at the lake with the kids. It must be in their blood: People Helping People!"

In an announcement befitting Labor Day, the IBT issued the following press release:

After nearly four decades, the U.S. government has officially ended federal monitorship of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, following approval by the Honorable Loretta Preska of the Southern District of New York (Southern District) of a joint motion filed this summer by the union and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The filing, issued on June 17, sought to amend the Final Order established in 2015 and the original Consent Decree governing the union. In 1989, the Southern District and the Teamsters agreed to eliminate the influence of organized crime within the union and to ensure fair, democratic, member-driven elections. Over the past 37 years, the Teamsters have conducted nine elections and successfully eliminated corrupt elements from the union.

Since the election of Sean M. O'Brien as Teamsters General President in 2021, the Teamsters have built a new system of rigorous checks and balances in which every member complaint is investigated and, when appropriate, referred to legal authorities. O'Brien was re-elected to a second term as General President this summer at the Teamsters 31^st International Convention.

In her ruling granting the motion, Judge Preska cited agreement by former federal judge Barbara Jones (ret.), who has served as the Independent Review Officer monitoring the union, that the Teamsters indeed have "developed the institutional tools, processes, and procedures necessary to adequately detect, investigate, and resolve instances of major corruption."

"True history has been made today for the Teamsters Union that begins a new chapter of self-governance and organizational independence to benefit all rank-and-file members and elected leaders," O'Brien said. "This is the end to the longest monitorship of any union, corporation, nonprofit, or public entity in the history of the United States. Our efforts over the past four years to create a culture of vigilance in our union have proven that we can police our own. The controls in place in the Teamsters today to operate a strong, transparent, and progressive union are more stringent than any labor organization in the country."

Judge Preska, in her ruling, reiterated that any concerns about potential corruption in the Teamsters or any union should always be referred to the U.S. Department of Labor and the DOJ, and that the court has no intention of serving as an indefinite monitor. "Generalized concerns regarding the Teamsters should be directed to the Teamsters management or these agencies, not this Court," Judge Preska concluded.

Teamsters Local 500's strike at Q-Trucking in Philadelphia continues. Joint Council 53 and Local 500 President Bill Hamilton issued a call for additional volunteers on September 3^rd as they ramp up efforts to support the picket line. Local 776 President Spencer Dearth had Business Agents Matt Craig, Patrick Hollingshead, John Taylor, Keith Hartman, and organizer Joshua Todd head to Philadelphia to lend their support.

Commented Spencer: "An injury to one is an injury to all. These brave members are in a fight for their livelihood. Local 776 responded to Bill's call, and we will be there with the Local 500 Members every step of the way in their fight for a just contract. As you celebrate over the weekend with family and friends, or just spend a quiet day at home relaxing, take a moment to remember these Local 500 Members as they fight for their piece of the American Dream."

Another day longer, another day stronger!

Scabs Beware!