President Trump has nominated former Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Labor. Raised in a Teamster family, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer has been a champion for the American worker.

During her time in Congress, she stood up for UPS workers’ right to strike, worked to protect the right to organize, raised working standards, and fought to keep jobs from being shipped overseas. Follow the Take Action Now link below to tell your Senator to support Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor!!

Take Action Now

Dear Member,

This is a reminder that the Teamsters Voluntary Income Protection Plus (VIP+) Plan is available to help protect your paycheck. You work hard every day, and your paycheck is the foundation that supports you and your family. If life throws an unexpected injury or illness your way, you need the peace of mind that comes from knowing your income is protected. Teamsters VIP+ Plan is here to make sure you can still provide for yourself and your loved ones if an illness or injury ever forces you off the job.

To ensure coverage starts on February 1st, please enroll by January 30th.

Key Benefits of VIP+ Include:

• Short-Term Disability: Up to $2,000 per week for 6 months.

• Long-Term Disability: Up to $7,500 per month for up to 5 years.

• Life Insurance with AD&D: Up to $500,000 for members, plus options for spouses and children.

• Specialized Protection: Benefits if you lose a specialty license (DOT, Pilots, etc.) for medical reasons.

• Guaranteed Approval: No health questions for all U.S.-based, actively working, full dues-paying members.

Learn More from General President Sean M. O’Brien

Hear directly from General President Sean M. O’Brien on the importance of protecting your income at https://teamstersvip.com/media/.

Act Now!

Visit www.TeamstersVIP.com to enroll, or call our VIP+ Customer Service Center at (224) 770-5304 for assistance. You can reduce or cancel your coverage anytime if needed.

This is a voluntary program, so the choice is yours to make. You must enroll to be covered. For questions and additional details, or to review eligibility information visit https://teamstersvip.com/policy-information/.

In solidarity,

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Bob Day recently retired from TForce Freight after a long career as a truck driver. He was initially a Member of Teamsters Local 771, where he had worked as a driver for Miller and Hartman until their closure. In 2006, Bob began his employment at UPS Freight (now TForce Freight) as a road driver, where he was instrumental in the organizing drive to win a Union contract, working closely with then Local 776 Organizer Ed Thompson.

With retirement comes the chance to travel. Bob and his wife Lisa have a few cruises booked and enjoy spending time in Myrtle Beach, SC. They have a daughter who is a teacher, a junior high JV basketball coach, and a high-school varsity assistant basketball coach in the Dallastown School District. Bob scores all of the games, which keeps him on the go during basketball season.

Reflecting on his time as a Teamster, Bob adds, "I'm thankful to be a Member of a good Local; I have the utmost respect for all of the Business Agents and the job they do."

From everyone at Local 776, congratulations on your retirement, Bob. Enjoy it for as long as it took you to earn it!

Local 776 Business Agent Spencer Dearth (R) presents Bob with a Local 776 retirement watch

On January 15, Local 776 President Ed Thompson, Vice-President Chalmer Edgin, Business Agent Spencer Dearth, and Organizer Ashley Cerzullo traveled to New Hyde Park, NY, to attend a rally supporting Costco Teamsters deep in contract negotiations. Before the rally, they joined Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien, General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman, Warehouse Director Tom Erickson, and Costco Teamsters in practice picketing at a Costco store in Westbury, NY, to give Costco advanced notice of the seriousness of the approaching final week of bargaining.

Local 776 VP Chalmer Edgin, Organizer Ashley Cerzullo, Abd President Ed Thompson "Practice Picket" with the Costco Members. That's Local 776 Business Agent Spencer Dearth behind the camera!

"We are going to win the strongest collective bargaining agreement in the history of Costco," O'Brien said. "Our members deserve nothing less. If we don't have an acceptable contract by January 31, this company will face the full force of the Teamsters Union. The rally ended with a clear message from President O'Brien that if Costco doesn't step up, they will be striking themselves.

The last round of negotiations begins Monday near Costco's corporate headquarters in Issaquah, Washington. Costco Teamsters demand the strongest possible contract and are prepared to strike to secure it. The Costco Teamsters National Master Agreement expires on January 31, protecting more than 18,000 Teamsters. "We do not want to strike, but if Costco refuses to meet us at the bargaining table with the respect we deserve, we are ready to do whatever it takes," said Lance Knowles, a Costco worker in New York and a member of Local 210. "We will not back down. We will not accept anything less than a contract that sets the standard in the retail industry."

IBT General President Sean O'Brien delivers a clear message to Costco management

Costco Teamsters stand united for a strong contract!

The Local 776 Retirees Club meets on January 15, 2025. Marianne Dobbins is the guest speaker for the January Retiree Group meeting. She is a licensed independent broker who helps seniors navigate the waters of Medicare. Marianne's goal is to help people understand the best options provided by understanding Medicare.

Additionally, the Retiree Group has undertaken its Membership campaign. Everyone should be receiving a letter in the mail.

The Retirees Club is for all Local 430 and Local 776 Retirees. Come on out; the meeting starts at 10:00 AM at the Camp Hill Union Hall.

Robert "Bob" Zimmerman retired in December after working for Juniata County at the 911 Center. Bob started as a correctional officer/dispatcher at the Juniata County Jail as the COs handled both jobs. When the jobs were separated in 2000, he moved to the new 911 dispatch center. While working for Juniata County, he was a long-time Local 776 Union Steward.

Bob and his wife Heather have two sons, a daughter, and three grandchildren who will be vying for additional attention now that he's retired. Both attending dirt track races and deer hunting should get more attention with his retirement. While Heather is still working, Bob is doing some home remodeling and trying to keep his "Honey Do" list manageable!

Looking back, Bob commented: "I enjoyed working with the Union and the Business Agents. At first, my BA was Kevin, and then I had a second-generation BA with his son Mark!"

From everyone at Local 776, congratulations on your retirement, Bob. Enjoy it!

Local 776 Business Agent Mark Cicak (R) memorializes Bob's retirement with a Teamsters watch!

Ralph Speece retired from Hershey Medical Center after amassing 40 years of Teamster membership. Ralph started his career at HMC in the kitchen, working up to a cook's position. Looking for a change, he transferred to medical supplies/ materials, where he worked as a group leader in the various store rooms.

Ralph served as a Union Steward for 25 years. He was involved in the negotiation of five contracts. After 25 years, he resigned as a Steward, leaving that position to some younger Members!

Ralph and his wife Jill plan on traveling as he eases into retirement. They also enjoy going to the beach. With the free time, Ralph is looking forward to playing golf again. During his time at HMC, the foursome he played on won the Local 776 golf tournament!

Looking back on his time with Local 776, Ralph remarked: "I had a good career at Hershey. I enjoyed my time with the Union working on the contracts. I learned a lot about the process and had the respect of the Members."

Congratulations on your retirement, Ralph. Enjoy it. We might see you at the golf tournament in August!

Ralph displays his Teamsters Retirement Watch!

The application process for scholarships from the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund is now open.  The deadline for application completion is March 1, 2025.  Academic scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 and Vocational/Training program scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 are available to High School seniors who are the sons/daughters/financial dependents of Teamster members (including members of the BLET, BMWED, TCRC, TCRC-BMW).  In 2024, the Fund awarded $1.2 million in scholarships to Teamster children across the U.S. and Canada.

Direct Link to Apply: https://aim.applyists.net/JRHMSF/

Program Key: JRHMSF

James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund

www.jrhmsf.org

Here’s the list of Local 776 meetings and events for 2025. The dates are also on the “Events Calendar” on the home page. Members who are registered users of the website get an Email alert before the event as a reminder. Not a registered user of the website? Sign up today in the “Member Login” box in the left column!