Local 776 President Spencer Dearth made a special presentation at the monthly meeting on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

Spencer began: "President O'Brien asked me to present a special award at today's monthly meeting. Today, we recognize Brother Leo Deaner for a lifetime of work that strengthened the International Brotherhood of Teamsters' historical record and ensured future generations will understand the Teamsters Union's true legacy."

Leo Deaner has had a long, distinguished career in organized labor, serving for over five decades as a dedicated member and high-level executive within the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Deaner joined the Teamsters in 1968. He began his union involvement at the rank-and-file level, working as a shop steward. Deaner rose through Pennsylvania regional leadership. He was deeply involved with Teamsters Local 776, where he served in key leadership positions, including business agent. In the 2000s, Deaner moved into top leadership at the Teamsters International Headquarters. He served as Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff to General President James P. Hoffa. In this capacity, he helped guide executive administration, labor policy, internal communications, and union initiatives through major national contract negotiations and legislative actions. During his executive leadership, Deaner championed preserving labor history and became one of the largest individual contributors to creating the Teamsters Digital Archives outside the International Union. He led efforts to recover, digitize, and safeguard primary historical materials covering decades of union history.

Spencer continued: "Brother Deaner headed the creation of the Teamsters Labor History Research Center at George Washington University, building an institution that now serves members, students, and researchers nationwide. The Center's foundation rests on Brother Deaner's contributions; he envisioned it and began building it in 2007. In his letter, President O'Brien stressed that Brother Deaner's efforts have ensured the Teamsters Union's true history- its struggles, achievements, and the work of millions of members will be accessible and accurately represented."

"In recognition of this lifelong dedication, Brother Deaner is being formally presented with the Teamsters President's Medal. The Teamsters President's Medal is a prestigious honor bestowed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, courage, leadership, and dedication to labor values, community service, or the Teamster movement."

"Today, Bret Caldwell, IBT Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the General President, is here to acknowledge that without his leadership, vision, and personal commitment, preserving Teamster history would not have been possible."

Below is a letter from President O'Brien to Leo honoring him with the President's Medal:

After IBT Representative Caldwell gives a brief introduction, Leo is presented with his President's Medal.

Teamsters Local 776 is proud to share that General President Sean O'Brien has appointed John Taylor, Business Agent of Local 776, as a Trade Division Representative within the International Brotherhood of Teamsters' newly established Logistics Division.

In this expanded role, John will take on greater responsibility in national grievance panels and contract negotiations. As the Union prepares for upcoming national negotiations with ABF and TForce Freight, John will play a more active role at the bargaining table on behalf of Local 776 members.

Reflecting on the appointment, John stated: "The appointment was a pleasant surprise, and it's gratifying to be recognized by President O'Brien for the years I've spent representing our members."

Local 776 President Spencer Dearth added: "Congratulations on your appointment, John. Working alongside you for many years, I know your experience and dedication will be a valuable asset to the Logistics Division. This appointment marks another step forward for Local 776 as we continue strengthening our representation of the membership."

Local 776 President Spencer Dearth (L) congratulates John on his IBT Appointment.

Patricio Paredes retired from UPS in July after amassing 43 years of service as a Teamster Member. Patricio started at UPS as a part-time employee and worked in preload for five years. When his seniority allowed, he moved to package car, where he remained until retirement. While navigating the big brown truck around town, Patricio earned induction into the UPS Circle of Honor for 25 years of safe driving. Not content with just 25 years of safe driving, he logged a total of 33 years of safe driving before retiring.

Patricio and his wife Margaret have been married for 29 years and have two children. So far, they have no grandkids to spoil, but you never know! Margaret is still working, but her schedule is flexible enough for them to travel.

Retirement gives Patricio time to devote to his main hobby, gardening, mainly raising vegetables to help them eat healthy. He is also trying to pick up golf. A friend is helping him learn. Maybe we'll see him at the Local 776 Golf Tournament next year!

When asked about what retirement means, Patricio reflected: "I'm happy to be retired. UPS is a hard place to work. I'm grateful to God for the opportunities he provided me over the years, which I was able to take advantage of. I'd also like to thank my Business Agent, Jason Kraft. I appreciate all the hard work he puts in representing the UPS Members.

On behalf of everyone at Local 776, congratulations on your retirement, Patricio. 43 years with the same employer is a true testament to a strong Union Contract. May you enjoy retirement for as long as you worked to earn it!

Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Mark Cicak (R) Congratulates Patricio on his retirement and presents him with a retirement watch.

Organizing is a tough job. Many workers want to be unionized but don't know what it means to work in a union environment or how to get organized. Education is the key, and that's one of the aspects of organizing a workplace that the organizing dept. starts a campaign with. Workers learn what being union means and the process to follow.

To that end, our organizers, Ashley Cerzullo and Joshua Todd, are taking union education on the road by attending numerous high school career night seminars. Recognizing that not everyone will go to college after graduation but will enter the workforce, the organizing department, in partnership with Local 776's Future's Committee, aims to educate and inform soon-to-be graduates about their options and opportunities as they enter the workforce.

On Wednesday night, September 30^th, Teamsters Local 776 Organizers Ashley and Joshua attended Cedar Cliff High School's College Fair to spread the word about union organizing and Local 776 in particular to the high school seniors. After recently attending East Pennsboro's Back to School Night earlier this month and continuing to schedule events throughout the school year, Local 776 is working to grow the Union in every way possible.

Local 776 organizer Joshua Todd has the materials and knowledge to answer any questions about the Teamsters directed to him! (That's Ashley behind the camera!)

Organizer Ashley Cerzullo spoke about the youth initiative: "Our Local's future not only depends on our current rank-and-file membership, but also on continuing outreach with potential Teamsters to ensure a secure and stable career in their future."

If any members have contacts or affiliations with other local education institutions, please contact the Organizing Department at (717) 233-8766 to share that information.