This Thanksgiving when you buy Union, you're supporting good jobs in American communities, jobs that provide living wages and benefits, safe working conditions, and dignity and respect for work. Look for these quality products, produced by Union Members, when preparing for your Thanksgiving feast.

The Union Made Shopping List is also available in the Local 776 App, making it convenient to refer to while shopping.

A new chapter in Local 776 history unfolded on Sunday, November 12, 2023, with the first monthly membership meeting being held in the new Union Hall in Camp Hill. For over seventy years the Jefferson Street building in Harrisburg had been home of Local 776. The age of the building made expansion and modernization cost-prohibitive, and the continual decline of the neighborhood put our employees and Members at risk.

But with time comes change and with that, a new building was purchased earlier this year. On October 23, 2023, Local 776 began operating from the new Union Hall and prepared for the first Membership Meeting on November 12^th.

The air was filled with excitement and curiosity as Members began arriving to visit their new Union Hall for the first time. After the meeting, the Dough Heads food truck was on hand providing Members with a sweet treat as they enjoyed each other’s company and remarked about the new Union Hall. With that the turning of the page was complete; a new chapter had begun for Teamsters Local 776.

The lobby of the Hall is clean and crisp, flooded with natural light

The meeting room can be divided into two smaller rooms should the need arise.

Stuffed waffles by the Dough Heads were popular after the meeting.

Good enough to take two!

Coming to the November Membership Meeting on Sunday, November 12th? Great! We look forward to seeing as many members as possible who can attend.

Don’t go to the old Union Hall on Jefferson Street, we moved into the new Union Hall in Camp Hill a few weeks ago. Not sure where we are located or how to get there? Just follow the link below for a map and directions to the Hall. Insert your starting point in the box on the left-hand side of the page to get directions from your location.

Come for the Monthly Meeting, Stay for the fellowship afterward, and enjoy a Dough Heads stuffed waffle!

Camp Hill Union Hall

Saturday, November 11, is Veterans Day when we honor Americans who have served to preserve our freedom.  On behalf of the Officers, Business Agents, staff, and myself, I would like to wish all Veterans a Happy Veterans Day. Because of your service to our great country, we can enjoy the freedoms and rights that make this country great. Thank you for your bravery, courage, and dedication to keeping our country free.

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson,

President Teamsters Local 776

Please see below for important information from Teamsters Local 776 concerning the November Membership Meeting.

People celebrate their retirement in various ways; some celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in their lives with family and friends, and some just quietly slide into retirement. But if you are Local 776 UPS Member Bill Long you celebrate at a surprise party thrown by the people from the town where you delivered!

Bill worked for UPS for 35 years as a delivery driver and all of those 35 years were spent delivering in the town of Dover, PA, and the surrounding area. Fellow UPS driver Justin Seitz got the ball rolling on the party by first talking to the superintendent of Dover High School to have the party held there; the date was set for October 25th. Next, a message about Bill’s retirement was posted on the Dover Facebook page; quickly 800 people responded to the news about Bill retiring. Dover High School got involved again by calling UPS on the 25^th for a package to be picked up at the school but that it would not be ready until 6:30 that evening. As Bill drove onto the school grounds a police escort met him, surprised to see the parking lot full of people; his customers, with signs, and balloons wishing him a happy retirement! Throughout the 35 years that Bill was the town's “UPS Man,” he made many friends, having been invited to weddings, birthdays, and unfortunately funerals through four generations of townspeople.

Once out of the UPS truck, there were many congratulations, handshakes, and hugs from the approximately 700 townspeople who came out to give Bill a retirement send-off. Afterward, Bill commented that he probably gained 10 pounds just from the cake and treats he had eaten that night!

Also, WGAL TV 8 was there to cover the story which then aired on the nightly news. To view the WGAL video follow the link below:

Retirement Video

Teamsters Local 776 Business Agent Dave Wolf was there representing the Local to wish Bill the best in retirement and take some of the attached pictures. From everyone at Local 776 Happy Retirement Bill!

A police escort started Bill's retirement send-off!

The crowd on hand to say goodbye to Bill was estimated at 700 people!

Wishes for Bill were spread across town!

Bill has his name and image in lights on a billboard!

It was Bill's night to be honored for a job well done!

Local 776 Member Justin Seitz congratulates Bill on his retirement!

After more than 35 years at UPS Local 776 Member Ray Laboda decided he had delivered enough packages and recently retired. Like most long-term UPS Members Ray started working in the Harrisburg Hub as a part-time employee. Once an opening became available for a package car driver job Ray’s seniority on the full-time interest list allowed him to slot into the driving job. The rest, they say, is history. While at UPS Ray was a Local 776 Union Steward for 30 years.

Ray and his wife Noreen have three kids; two boys and one girl. As of yet, there are no grandkids for Ray to spoil but you never know when. Noreen is still working but they have already found time to travel to Sweden to start Ray’s retirement. Once Noreen retires there will be more traveling but for now, just day trips are planned.

Ray has been involved in the music business since 2001 wearing many different hats; tour manager, promoter, and also musician transport. Next month Ray will be working for two weeks transporting a well-known musical act on the West Coast portion of their current tour.

From everyone at Local 776 congratulations and good luck in retirement Ray! May you enjoy your retirement for as many years as it took to earn it!

Ray Receives congratulations and his retirement watch from UPS Business Agents Dave Licht (L) and Jason Kraft (R)

Please see below for important information concerning Teamsters Local 776's move to the new Union Hall!

New pay increases secured in the UPS Teamsters historic contract went into effect on August 27 and are retroactive to August 1, 2023. That means all UPS Teamsters have retro payment checks covering August 1-August 26.

According to UPS payroll: “The retro checks will be dated 10-18-2023 and delivered to the centers by that date. Payments will be “live check” or “direct deposit” based on how the employee's regular weekly paycheck is issued.”

Retroactive contributions to health care and pension funds have been made throughout the month of September.

Recently three Local 776 Members retired, turning the page on a new chapter in their lives. These long-term Members have a combined 113 years of Teamster Membership between them.

Craig Mackley retired in July after amassing 46 years of employment at Metals USA. Craig started his career in 1997 at what was then known as Borger Steel, a local, family-owned business in York, PA. Through the years Craig worked every job available; qualified forklift operator, side loader, saws, cranes, and jockeying trucks to name a few. Craig was a member of the safety committee and was a first aid responder trained in CPR.

Craig is married to his wife Mary, who also believes in long-term employment, she has been employed at YNS Candies for 44 years! Mary plans on working a few more years before retiring, and then she and Craig will start making some retirement plans. They have two sons and three grandchildren who will be vying for Craig’s time now that he’s retired. Until Mary retires Craig plans to keep busy with his hobbies; he is a woodcarver and creates cartoon characters, he collects model trains, and also enjoys fishing. In closing Craig had a few words for the people at work; “Keep up the good work; you’ll get to retirement also!”

Craig (L) receives his retirement watch and congratulations from Local 776 Business Agent Bill Olmeda.

Steve May retired from York County Prison after 31 years as a Correctional Officer. While at YCP some of Steve’s time was spent working in Transport, moving INS detainees to various facilities. His travels took him to Canada, Tampa, Florida, and Kentucky.

Steve and his wife Heather have 4 children together, with one granddaughter. Heather is still employed so it’s up to Steve to spoil the granddaughter in his spare time! Currently, Steve is spending his retirement time on the golf course, playing three or four times a week. When he was contacted for this article he asked to call back later because he was in the middle of a round of golf! Ah, the life of a retiree!

In closing, Steve commented: “I enjoyed my time at YCP and appreciate the Teamsters and what they gave me."

Steve (L) receives congratulations and his retirement watch from Local 776 Business Agent Shane Weaver

Joe Mazero retired from UPS after 36 years with the company. Like most long-term UPS Members Joe started as a part-time employee, became full time and worked as a package car driver, and for the last eight years, he has been a feeder driver, running tractor-trailers up and down the road. Joe was also a Union Steward for many years at the UPS building in York PA.

Joe has been married to his wife Twila for 29 years, together they have 7 kids between them. Twila also works for UPS as a package car driver but wants to work a few more years before she joins Joe in retired life. While he waits for Twila to retire Joe is settling into retirement by just relaxing. He also has a boat at Raystown Lake to keep him busy.

Joe commented on his retirement: "It was a tough career at UPS but rewarding, life is good because of it."

Joe (C) receives his retirement watch along with congratulations from Local 776 Business Agents Jason Kraft (L) and Dave Licht (R).