Mifflin County Correctional Facility: In July 2022 employees of the Mifflin County Correctional Facility (MCCF) contacted Local 776 Organizer Ashley Cerzullo concerning representation by Local 776. At the time, the employees were represented by an association known as ICOP but were dissatisfied with the representation they were receiving. Once the employees had signed authorization cards requesting Local 776 as their bargaining agent ICOP relinquished representation rights of their members to Local 776. Upon joint certification by the Labor Board of the change, Mifflin County recognized the Local as the members’ new bargaining representative. The new Teamster members number approximately 45 and include correctional officers, sergeants, corporals, and the maintenance dept. Since Local 776 was certified as the bargaining agent the Lieutenants at the facility were added to the bargaining unit. With the expiration of the ICOP agreement looming Local 776 BA Shane Weaver is negotiating the facility's first Teamster Contract.
Hershey Medical Center Building Operations Coordinators: In 2023 this group of employees requested Union representation by Local 776. Upon certification by the Labor Board HMC recognized Local 776 as the unit's bargaining representative. The new members were placed under the existing HMC contract after a pay grade was negotiated for them. The new members now have the same rights and protections as the other HMC Members with regard to seniority rights, bidding, and access to the grievance procedure, among other benefits. One immediate improvement for this group was the ability to bid into building trade jobs at HMC if the individual meets the qualifications of the building trade desired.
United National Foods, Inc: In May 2024, drivers at United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) in Harrisburg, Pa., have voted nearly unanimously to join Teamsters Local 776. The 75-worker group overcame a nasty union-busting campaign by the food distributor, taking their fight to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to beat back efforts to outsource their jobs. Local 776 Organizer Ashley Cerzullo worked tirelessly along with attorney Jason Weinstock to ensure the employees had a vote for their future. The duo presented the Union’s case to the NLRB at a 2-day hearing in Philadelphia Pa on April 4th and 5th. The Labor Board ruled in the Union’s favor on May 16th, assuring the Local Union that an election would be held on May 22nd and 23rd.
“Despite challenges, UNFI drivers at the Harrisburg facility were committed to becoming Teamsters since day one. They refused to fall for the company’s union-busting tactics and stood arm-in-arm with Teamsters Local 776 to fight back. Workers proved to the NLRB that UNFI was trying to outsource their jobs to a third party to break up union organizing efforts,” said Ed Thompson, President of Local 776.
In addition to organizing new employers the Local’s organizer actively recruits new Members for DRIVE, the Teamsters voluntary political action committee. In October 2022, 115 new members were recruited for DRIVE, and in October 2023 380 members signed DRIVE authorization cards.