The events listed on the calendar are accurate at the time of posting. Dates and times of events are subject to change. Any questions concerning the date and time of an event should be directed to the Local Union Hall during normal business hours.
A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ED THOMPSON
If you haven’t already done so please take a moment to register as a Local 776 member or retiree.
With the retirement of Local 776 Business Agent Bill Olmeda looming on the horizon there have been adjustments in personnel at Local 776.
Pursuant to the Local 776 by-laws the Local Union Executive Board has issued the following appointments:
Local 776 Trustee Patrick Hollingshead has been appointed to the position of Business Agent. Patrick is a 37-year Member of the Teamsters, the last 27 years serving as a UPS Union Steward. He will be working closely with Bill learning the intricacies of the various public sector contracts Bill handles to ensure a smooth transition when Bill retires.
Patrick Hollingshead
Justin Seitz has been appointed to fill Patrick’s vacant Trustee position. Justin is a UPS package car driver at the Carlisle, Pa building. He started his career with UPS in 2007, working his way through the part-time ranks to becoming a full-time driver. He has been a Union Steward since 2012. Justin serves as a volunteer organizer, and also has participated in several DRIVE recruitment campaigns. Additionally he worked on the UPS contract campaign in 2023 for the IBT, and also serves on the Local 776 “Teamsters Futures” committee with Business Agent Mark Cicak.
Recently two Members decided to exchange a time card for a retirement watch! Together these gentlemen have 77 years of Union Membership between them. Here’s a little bit about them:
Charlie Maletestinic: Charlie retired from UPS this past September after 37 years of pushing, pulling, lifting, and lowering packages. Like most long-term UPS Members Charlie started as a part-time employee in the Harrisburg Hub at the age of 19. When Charlie turned 21 he became a package car driver, where he remained for 35 years. During that time Charlie attained 25 years of safe driving behind the wheel of a UPS vehicle.
With retirement Charlie is looking forward to some more time to devote to his two hobbies; archery hunting and fishing.
Charlie and his wife Cheri, who is also retired, have two boys to keep them busy. In a true act of love and devotion to each other and their family, they will be undertaking a big responsibility. One of their sons has special needs. In a selfless gesture, Charlie and Cheri are renovating their present house to further meet the needs of their son and two additional people with special needs. As a group home facility, they will have care available 24 hours a day. Charlie and Cheri will be close by; they will be building another home two blocks away to stay in touch with their son.
When asked if he had any parting words or advice Charlie replied: “Over 37 years it was an awesome experience. I’m appreciative of the Union and the company; the benefits were great. Looking back I’ve got no regrets and would do it again.”
From everyone at Local 776 congratulations on your retirement Charlie!
Charlie shows off his watch to Local 776 BA Dave Licht (L) and Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks
John Meyer: John retired from Hershey Medical Center on August 30th after amassing 40 years of service! John started at the Med Center on June 25, 1984. He worked as a plumber/pipefitter in the trades department and was also a shop steward for many years. He was originally a member of Teamsters Local 8 for five years. When Local 776 took over the Hershey Medical Center contract in 1999 John became a member of Local 776 where he amassed another 35 years of Union Membership.
His wife is also a Local 776 member; she works in the Housekeeping Dept. They have been married for 45 years and have a daughter and grandchildren who will be looking for more time with John now that he is retired!
From everyone at Local 776 congratulations on your retirement John, 40 years is quite an accomplishment!
Local 776 BA Dave Vrona (L) presents John with his retirement watch.
It's Back! After a few years of hiatus due to COVID-19, the Local 776 Children's Christmas Party is again an IN-HOUSE party! Santa, food, cookies, and gifts will be waiting for you. Full details are below, mark the date on your calendar and come on over to the Union Hall in Camp Hill!
On behalf of everyone at Local 776, I would like to wish all Veterans a Happy Veterans Day! Thank you for your service. Because of your devoted service, and unwavering loyalty to our great country, we remain the home of the free where we can enjoy the freedoms and rights that make this country great.
If you know a Veteran, reach out to him or her and thank them for their service. If you notice a gathering on Veterans Day, honor them with your thanks.
This day is to honor the Veterans, but please take a moment to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our rights and liberties.
This past weekend, hundreds of Teamsters from across the region gathered at Teamsters Local 107’s union hall in Philadelphia for an Amazon Teamsters Day of Solidarity rally.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien, Senator Bob Casey, labor leaders, and elected officials rallied in support of Amazon workers who are pushing back against the e-commerce giant and organizing for union rights, respect, fair wages, and a safe workplace.
Local 776 had a contingent on hand supporting the Amazon workers. Local 776 BA’s Spencer Dearth, Patrick Hollingshead, and John Taylor, Trustees Justin Seitz, and Rob Smiley, along with TForce Freight Steward Josh Todd were on hand to support the Amazon workers.
“We are in the fight of our lives to organize Amazon,” O’Brien said. “Amazon not only affects package delivery, but it also harms every single industry we represent because Amazon has its dirty little fingers on everything. This fight today may not seem like yours, but it may be yours tomorrow. We need all hands on deck.”
Ahead of Election Day, Teamsters drilled down on the importance of ensuring we protect Teamsters-backed candidates who are currently seeking elected office. With the support of elected officials in every state and at every level of government, Amazon will be held accountable and the workers who make them profitable will have strong Teamsters contracts they deserve.
IBT General President Sean O'Brien stresses the importance of organizing the Amazon workers.
L-R: Local 776's Josh Todd, Spencer Dearth, and Justin Seitz stand with the Amazon workers. That's Patrick Hollingshead trying to keep a low profile behind Spencer!
Please see below for important information from the IBT Freight Division concerning the ongoing Yellow Freight bankruptcy proceedings. The document contains four pages. By selecting the box in the top right corner of the document you will view the document in full-screen mode.
Local 776’s community service project; Christmas for Kids, will be held on December 14, 2024, at the York Union Hall. In the time leading up to the party, there is much to do. Please see below for details on how you can make a difference in a child’s Christmas.
Commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson, “As a service organization the Local has a responsibility to our members in the workplace as well as a responsibility to the members of our community. These kids are from some of the area’s most needy families. For them, this is their Christmas. Helping these kids have a brighter holiday is one way we give back to the community. Please take a moment and find it in your heart to participate in this worthy event and help make a child’s holiday a little brighter.
The Local Union held two retirement seminars on Saturday October 19, 2024, at 10 am and 1 pm. The seminar was open to members who plan to retire in the next 3-5 years. Seating was limited to 120 people per session, and both sessions were quickly filled.
Financial and healthcare representatives from Central PA Teamsters Pension Fund, Team Care, Arbor Group, U Financial, Varano and Spong, Harro and Associates, and Karpinski and Associates. Each group gave a small presentation to the entire group and then went to an assigned area of the Union Hall so the members could visit them to speak to them directly if they wanted.
As the various representatives gave their initial presentations....
They had the attention of everyone in the room.
A listing of the representatives who were present with their contact information is below. Additionally, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is proud to introduce a new benefit for members and their families: options for long-term care insurance and resources for current and future caregivers. This information may be found below the listing of seminar representatives.
Local 776 President Ed Thompson commented on the seminar. “Our Members have worked long and hard during their time as Teamsters. The retirement seminar is another tool used by the Local Union to make sure our Members have all the information they need to make informed decisions as they transition from Teamster Members to Teamster retirees.”
When we last saw Chalmer and Garry, they were leaving Mountain City, TN, after dropping off a truckload of relief supplies to the storm-ravaged area (See the article below if you missed it!). The duo was headed toward Richmond, VA, for a show of Union Solidarity.
On October 8, 2024, nearly 100 Richmond, VA city workers, union leaders, and local officials gathered at City Hall, demanding that Mayor Levar Stoney and his administration come to the negotiating table and bargain in good faith with Teamsters Local 322. The rally was organized in response to the administration’s refusal to negotiate a fair first contract for the workers The union represents the 600 employees in the labor and trades bargaining unit, which includes employees from the Department of Public Works (DPW), Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Planning and Development Review.
The rally saw support from several notable figures, including Councilwoman Reva Trammell, Councilman Andreas Addison, and candidates for public office. Adding to the solidarity, four Teamster tractor trailers from Teamsters Local 135 (Indiana), Teamsters Joint Council 94 (Virginia), Teamsters Local 118 (Rochester, NY), and Teamsters Local 776 (Pennsylvania) circled City Hall, blowing their air horns in support of the workers.
Teamster Power is on display in Richmond!
The Trucks made a bold statement supporting our Union Brothers and sisters as they circled City Hall
The rally drew attention to the downtown area. Workers throughout the area came out to see what was going on as the trucks circled City Hall. The Mayor was in the building at the time and with its proximity to street level he was well aware that the Teamsters were in town!
Our Truck coming up on City Hall!
The union’s proposal not only seeks to address pay disparities and establish a step scale with longevity premiums but also calls for enhanced safety measures and training. This demand follows two major incidents in the past year involving city employees.
Dwayne Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer, and Director of Organizing for Teamsters Local 322 added "Our members voted overwhelmingly for this union because they believe in fair treatment and want a contract that reflects their hard work and dedication to the city." "This isn't just about pay-it is about respect for the people who keep this city functioning," said Brian Peyton, President of Teamsters Local 322. "Richmond workers deserve better than being stalled and dismissed. It’s time for Mayor Stoney to stop maintaining the status quo and come to the table ready to negotiate in good faith."
Commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson: “An injustice to one is an injustice to all. We are honored to stand beside our Brothers and Sisters in Richmond as they exercise their right to be Union Members and have a voice in the workplace.”
As of now, Mayor Stoney's administration has reached out to resume negotiations with Local 322. Bargaining sessions are scheduled to resume on October 27th and 28th.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region the last week of September and quickly carved a path of destruction through the south with torrential rain and wind. One town in north-eastern Tennessee, Mountain City, was particularly hard hit. In two hours the river rose so quickly that everything in its path was destroyed by the raging water.
The Trough Creek Valley Volunteer Fire Dept. in Cassville, PA heard of the destruction to the town and its fire department and quickly organized a relief effort. While the fire dept chief, Logan Fritz, coordinated the collection of supplies his uncle, ABF Steward Randy Whitehouse, contacted Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks to see if transportation could be provided for the relief effort. In keeping with our motto “People Helping People” Ron quickly arranged for the Local’s truck to move the much-needed supplies to Tennessee. This trip was made by Local 776 VP Chalmer Edgin, II, and ABF Steward Garry Teter, Jr.
The duo arrived in Cassville on Sunday, October 6th where several volunteers were on hand to assist in loading the truck with clothing, non-perishable food goods, water, and firefighting equipment.
The volunteers who helped load the relief supplies.
Far-right are Garry Teter, Jr, and Chalmer Edgin, II. (With cap). In front of them is Chalmer's mother, Linda Edgin.
Chalmer and Garry arrived in Mountain City early Monday morning, where the truck was unloaded at a relief center that had been established at a strip shopping center that hadn’t been destroyed.
As the sun rose over the Tennessee mountains the truck was quickly unloaded.
Once they were unloaded in Mountain City there was no rest for the weary, instead of heading home our two disaster relief drivers were headed to Richmond, VA. in support of Teamster….(To be continued!)
On the road again, Garry, (L) and Chalmer, in the driver's seat, head to Richmond
A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ED THOMPSON
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