Recently three Local 776 Members transferred from the work-a-day world to the retirement world. These long-term Teamsters have 112 years of Teamsters Membership among them! Steve Billet, former UPS Feeder Driver is the senior man in this trio, putting in a total of 46 years behind the wheel! Enjoy your retirement gentlemen!

Jeff Able: Jeff retired after amassing 36 years at Springettsbury township where he worked in the public works and highway departments. Jeff and his wife Linda have been married for 42 years; they have a son and a daughter, along with three grandchildren, who all are vying for Jeff’s time now that he’s retired! Keeping busy Jeff bowls in a fall/winter bowling league and also plays softball in a church league. Being around the house more now that he’s retired Jeff helps out with Linda’s home daycare center but they still find time for camping trips with their travel trailer. Thinking back Jeff stated: “It’s been great being a Teamster, I’m enjoying the retirement benefits, and enjoyed working at the Township. Best of luck in retirement Jeff, enjoy it!

Local 776 Business Agent Bill Olmeda presents Jeff with his retirement watch!

Steve Billet:  Steve started his Teamster time at the former MFX Company in York. After MFX closed Steve was hired by St. Johnsbury Trucking, where he worked for 13 years until they closed. After that, Steve was hired as a feeder driver at UPS in Harrisburg, where he remained for 30 years until retirement. During his time at UPS Steve served as a Local 776 Business Agent for three years. Steve and his wife Cynthia have 4 children, and a total of 8 grandchildren.

After driving all over the country for so many years Steve has no desire to travel the country, that is until the wanderlust kicks in! For now, he’s content to take it easy and relax working on his golf game. From everyone at Local 776 congratulations Steve, may you enjoy your retirement for as long as it took you to earn it!

Local 776 President Ed Thompson (L) and Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks present Steve with his retirement watch

Barry Warnke: Barry started his Teamster career working at the former Preston Trucking Company in York where he worked for 10 years. After the closing of the company, Barry moved on to Navistar International Truck Parts at the parts distribution center in Manchester, PA. where he worked for 20 years until his recent retirement. Barry enjoys baseball and football, something retirement will give him more time to enjoy. Barry and a friend are planning an ambitious cross-country trip to see our great country. With no job to get back to they can travel at their own pace and not worry about making it home in time to go to work! Some of the planned stops along the way are the Grand Canyon, and Hoover Dam, before ending up in Olympia, Washington, then turning around and visit more locations on the way back home.

Reflecting on his time as a Teamster Barry is proud to be a Teamster and plans on being an active retiree. He will be attending the monthly Membership Meetings and other Teamster functions to keep in touch and is eager to share his Teamster experiences with the younger Members who are just starting.

From all of us at Local 776 congratulations on your retirement Barry, We hope you enjoy it!

Local 776 Business Agent Spencer Dearth presents Barry with his retirement watch.

From Everyone at Local 776 congratulations gentlemen, enjoy your retirement!

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” – Benjamin Franklin

On behalf of the Officers, Business Agents, and staff of Local 776 I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July. America is the greatest country on earth; we enjoy freedoms, liberties, and rights unmatched in the world.

We begin every Membership meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Join me over the Holiday to take a moment to reflect on our great country and honor her by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.” – William Faulkner

Summer is here, the Fourth of July is the first holiday of summer. Many of us will celebrate with family and friends at the beach, in our backyards, or at community fireworks displays. No matter how you plan to spend the July 4^th Holiday please join me in wishing our great Nation a Happy Birthday!

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson,

President Teamsters Local 776

“Only in America / Where we dream in red, white and blue / Only in America / Where we dream as big as we want to.” — Brooks & Dunn

Time; it’s something you can’t control. It can’t be slowed down or sped up. As we age time seems to go by faster and faster. Already it has been eight quick months since Local 776 began daily operations from the Camp Hill building.

To help mark the passing of time the Law Offices of Ira Weinstock presented the Members of Local 776 with a commemorative clock in recognition of the new Union Hall. The clock will be positioned in the meeting room, where it can easily viewed by the Members.

Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks (L) and Jason Weinstock, from the Law firm of Ira Weinstock, admire the new timepiece.

Teamsters at Penn State University have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The resounding vote allows the negotiating committee to call a strike if Penn State refuses to offer workers a strong contract.

“It’s long past due for Penn State to get serious about offering the essential Teamsters a contract that includes fair compensation and working conditions,” said Jonathan Light, President of Teamsters Local 8. “We do not want to go on strike, but it seems as though the university does not think we are serious about our demands. This overwhelming strike vote should send a clear message that WE ARE ready to strike for what we deserve.”

The 2,500 workers at Penn State, represented by Local 8, work in custodial service, emergency medical response, food service, housing service, trades, science, athletics, agriculture, research, printing, engineering, transportation, airport services, ITS and media at University Park as well as more than 20 commonwealth campuses throughout Pennsylvania.

Teamsters Local 8 represents more than 2,500 working men and women employed at Penn State University, including over 20 commonwealth campuses throughout Pennsylvania.

Local 776 was on hand to support their fellow Teamsters at PSU at a rally held before the start of negotiations in May.

It's summertime; that old ballpark man is back in gear, the Local 776 family picnic was just held, and things are heating up. They plan to get a lot hotter on August 4^th. Yep, it’s that time of the year again; the Local 776 Golf Tournament will tee off on Sunday, August 4^th this year. There will be plenty of competition as some of the Local’s best players tee it up for bragging rights. Think you’ve got what it takes to go a round of golf with these guys? If so get your foursome together, dust off your putter, and clean the mud from your spikes! Come on out for a day of friendly competition, but don’t delay the foursomes fill in quickly. See below for all the details on what plans to be another great Local 776 event!

Local 776 held their Membership family picnic on Sunday, June 9^th. Knoebels amusement park was the place for a day of food, fun, fellowship, and good times with family, friends, and co-workers. What a way to kick off the unofficial start of summer! Schools out, the weather cooperated, and a day at Knoebels! Members, spouses, kids, grandkids, and retirees filled Knoebels making it one of Local 776’s largest member events. Teamster Pride was on display inside the park as a steady stream of Teamster Members and family members sporting Teamster hats, caps, T-shirts and sweatshirts milled about the park enjoying themselves.

As is the custom at Local 776 events, tickets were sold for a 50-50 drawing throughout the day to benefit the Local Union’s scholarship fund. The 50/50 winner was Richard Clay, a retired UPS Freight Member. Additionally, there were two television drawings: Ray Mullen, a retiree from Amsted Rail won a 55-inch TV, and Cathy Bolding, a Member at PrimeCare Medical won a 65-inch TV!

Commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson “It’s a good feeling seeing my Brothers and Sisters, along with their families and friends, enjoying each other, the day and the park. I’m proud of this turnout; it’s you, the members, supporting your Local Union, who fuel that sense of pride. I would like to thank EVERYONE from Local 776 who put so much time and effort into making the picnic a success. Without your support, this event could not happen”.

To view additional photos from the picnic please visit the Photo Gallery to view “Knoebels Family Picnic 2024.” Thanks to all the members who submitted photos of your day at the park. There is also a gallery titled “Members Knoebels Photos 2024” to view the members’ photos. If you have photos you would like to share send them to info@teamsterslocal776.org and we’ll add them to the Photo Gallery!

Even the big kids had fun on the rides!

The kids always enjoy climbing up in the "Big Rig!"

There were plenty of smiling faces all over the park!

Richard Clay, retired from UPS Freight, was the 50/50 winner!

Ray Mullen retired from Amsted Rail, took home a 55-inch TV.

Cathy Bolding, a Member at Prime Care Medical, took home the big one, a 65-inch TV!

Will you be coming to the picnic this Sunday? Great, we’re looking forward to seeing you. Show your Teamster Pride!, wear your Teamster gear; shirts hats, whatever you have!

Our photographer will be roaming the park taking pictures of you, your family, your kids, and your friends. He’ll be wearing a Teamsters Local 776 shirt. If you see him but he doesn’t see you just shout to him “Yo Erik!” and he’ll be glad to include you in his photo collection.

Everyone has a camera, I’m sure you will be taking photos of the day. How about sharing your photos with others? Just email your photos to info@teamsterslocal776.org and we’ll upload your photos to a “Members Photos” section in the Photo Gallery on the Local Union Website, the Mobile App, and as space permits, we’ll print them in the upcoming newsletter!

See you Sunday at Knoebels!

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 to notorious nonunion company J.B. Hunt. Local 776 Organizer Ashley Cerzullo worked tirelessly along with attorney Jason Weinstock to insure 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. A UNFI driver, Terrell Trasher, testified on behalf of the drivers at UNFI Harrisburg Pa.  The Labor Board ruled in the Union’s favor on May 16^th, assuring the Local Union that an election would be held on May 22nd and 23rd.

 “Organizing to become Teamsters helped bring us together for the greater cause. With Teamsters representation, we are now more confident knowing that everyone will have a say in our future,” said Carlos Lugaro, a UNFI driver who helped lead the organizing effort. Lugaro and his co-workers are seeking a strong Teamsters contract that will improve wages, health care and retirement benefits, job security, and working conditions.

“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.

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. In May alone, more than 250 UNFI workers joined the Teamsters at three different UNFI locations. Since 2022, over 1,500 workers at the company have become Teamsters nationwide.

“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. This victory in Harrisburg is just another example of workers’ resolve to take control of their future. We will not rest until every UNFI worker in this country has the representation and respect they deserve,” said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division.

Welcome to the Teamsters!

Teamster Proud! A few of Local776's newest Members stand proud with Local 776 Organizer Ashley Cerzullo (center)

Local 776 Member Austin O'Brien was on hand with the Local's truck to support the workers in their organizing efforts!

“For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”- James A. Garfield

On behalf of the Officers, Business Agents, staff, and myself, I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day. As you spend the day with family and friends or just relaxing at home, please take a moment to remember the service men and women who gave their lives protecting the freedoms, rights, and liberty that we all enjoy in our great country. This weekend is the time we thank those we can’t possibly thank in person but we thank them in memory of their ultimate sacrifice for our freedom Also, please keep a place in your heart for our service men and women who so proudly serve to preserve the rights and liberties that others made the ultimate sacrifice for.

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson,

President, Teamsters Local 776

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”- Unknown

Teamsters Local 776 is proud to announce our scholarship finalists for 2024:

Teryn Huff, stepdaughter of Richard Stover, a Local 776 Member who works at T-Force Freight.

Caitlin Mahady, daughter of Ryan Mahady, a Local 776 Member who works at UPS.

Abigail Myers, daughter of Richard Myers, a Local 776 Member who works at T-Force Freight.

Tyson Scheitrum, Son of Daniel Scheitrum,  a Local 776 Member who works at Hershey Medical Center.

Due to the continuing support of the Scholarship Fund by the Members, Local 776 was again able to provide four scholarships for 2024.

Congratulations to this year’s finalists and best of luck as you continue your education. For more information on these and other scholarship opportunities for qualifying dependents of Teamsters Local 776 Members please go to the scholarships page under Member Resources.