As disaster relief efforts continued after Hurricanes Helena and Milton, Local 776 was again contacted to provide transport for a shipment of humanitarian aid to the affected region.
Pam Hess from the PA Turnpike Commission contacted the Local Union after they collected 15 skids of goods and food for the people of North Carolina.
Quickly, the wheels were set in motion to move the supplies to the affected area. In what was a "Team" effort, Local 776 ABF members Austin O'Brien, Randy Whitehouse, and Dan Wright combined to get the job done. Austin met Pam at the warehouse in Mechanicsburg to load the donations, and then Randy and Dan delivered the load to the Manna Food Bank in Mills River, NC, in time for Thanksgiving.

Commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson "When disaster strikes, we begin to prepare, knowing that we will be getting a call that we are needed. As a service organization, we are committed to serving our members as well as the community".

Austin getting the relief supplies loaded...

And Randy (L) and Dan quickly get the supplies unloaded.

After the December Membership Meeting on December 8, 2024, the members in attendance enjoyed a Christmas dinner. Traditional Holiday fare was served, including turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, and the world-famous Smiley Family Cookies for dessert.

There was plenty of food available for everyone!

“The monthly membership meetings are an important tool for getting information to the members. However, they are also important for building brotherhood among the members of the various employer groups we represent. I’m glad to see the members relaxing, enjoying the food and each other’s company,” commented President Ed Thompson.

The Members enjoyed the food and enjoyed each other's company!

Local 776 Vice-President Chalmer Edgin was the "Keeper of the Cookies"!

From Everyone at Teamsters Local 776 "Merry Christmas!

After a few years of the Children's Christmas Party "Drive-thrus," the party returned to inside the Union Hall on Saturday, December 7th. A steady stream of members and their families converged at the Hall for hot dogs, snacks, the famous Smiley Family homemade cookies, and a chance to meet Santa! Judging from the squeals of delight and the big smiles, the party was a success!

"It's great to see the Union Hall alive with the Christmas Spirit the kids exhibit! As I've often said, these kids are our future, so let's do everything possible to support them, added Local 776 President Ed Thompson."

It's all about the kids!

Additional photos from the party can be viewed in the Photo Gallery under Children's Christmas Party 2024. Additionally, photos sent by Members are under Children's Christmas Party 2024 Member photos

Are you coming to the Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday? Great! We’re looking forward to seeing as many as possible visit the Union Hall and spend part of their holiday with us.

Our photographer will be on hand to capture the smiling faces of everyone enjoying themselves. If you’re also taking pictures why not share them with other Local 776 members? E-mail your pictures to info@teamsterslocal776.org. We’ll post all the Members’ photos we receive on the Local’s website on the “Photo Gallery” page. Take plenty of pictures of your kids with Santa, you with Santa, or you with your Business Agent! See you at the party!

On behalf of the Officers, Agents, Staff, and myself, I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. More people travel for Thanksgiving than any other U.S. holiday. AAA predicts more than 80 million people are expected to head at least 50 miles to their Thanksgiving destination between Wednesday, November 26, and Sunday, December 1. Please be safe if you are traveling to gather with family and friends during the holiday.

We all have so much to be thankful for, please find a place in your heart for those less fortunate than us, and help them in any way you can. When enjoying your holiday dinner; remember the hungry, when enjoying good health; remember the sick, when with family and friends remember the lonely, and lastly, remember our military personnel, many of whom are away from their families and loved ones protecting the rights and liberties that we cherish in our great country.

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson,

President, Teamsters Local 776

Please see below for important information from the IBT concerning the Yellow Corp. Bankruptcy proceedings:

Please see below for further information concerning checks that the Yellow Bankruptcy court issued:

Please see below for important information concerning the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund. Additional information concerning scholarship opportunities for qualifying dependants of Teamster Members may be found on the "Scholarship Page" under Member Resources.

Please see below for important information concerning checks issued from the Yellow Bankruptcy Court:

Earlier this year drivers at United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) in Harrisburg voted nearly unanimously to join Teamsters Local 776. The organizing victory in Harrisburg is part of a national worker-led movement to unionize UNFI and follows recent wins in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Washington. UNFI Teamsters are seeking strong representation to address years of worker concerns amid company mismanagement. Drivers in Harrisburg showed courage and put it all on the line to secure this crucial victory. UNFI workers know that the Teamsters are relentless in our fight for a better workplace. 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.

Last month More than 150 drivers at UNFI’s Manchester, PA Distribution Center voted to join Teamsters Local 776. Organizing for fair pay, improved health care, and better working conditions. Since 2022, nearly 2,500 UNFI workers have joined the Teamsters, bringing the total to over 5,000 Teamster members across the company.

“To avoid being left behind, drivers at UNFI’s Manchester Distribution Center knew they had to take a stand and organize,” said Ed Thompson, President of Local 776. “I’m proud to welcome these new members to our Teamsters family. This is part of a nationwide effort to unionize the company, and we’re committed to helping our members secure the first contract they deserve. With this latest vote, all UNFI drivers in Pennsylvania are now Teamsters.”

During the election, there were 136 drivers/jockeys at the York facility, where the organizing drive started. Since moving to a new distribution center located in Manchester, PA there are now approximately 150 drivers/jockeys working there. Local 776 BA Spencer Dearth, who is currently negotiating the first contract for the Harrisburg Members will also be representing the Manchester Members.

Local 776 Organizer Ashley Cerzullo commented: “Management at Manchester UNFI was very anti-Union. Despite their efforts to quash the organizing drive, the group stood their ground & chased after their goal! Getting this group organized was a team effort, not just me doing the organizing. I had a lot of help from Spencer and the other BAs, who took time out of their days; late nights and early mornings, to make this work. In addition, the negotiation committee/stewards from the Harrisburg facility were on hand to support their co-workers.

Local 776 Officers and BAs were on hand supporting the UNFI workers during their organizing campaign.