25,000 United Auto Workers Members are walking picket lines after their strike expands to more GM and Ford plants. The union is holding a stand-up strike, meaning that it adds more members to the picket line as negotiations continue. The strike started with one Ford, Stellantis, and General Motors facility striking. After week one, the UAW added 38 GM and Stellantis plants. Ford was spared the first round of additions but was the target of the UAW last week.

Local 776 Member Rick Smith, host of the labor-themed radio broadcast “The Rick Smith Show” and his son Alex recently visited the Toledo Jeep plant, a Mopar distribution facility in Centerline MI, and the Ford plant in Wayne MI in a show of solidarity with our striking UAW Brothers and Sisters.  Rick went to talk to UAW local leaders to build relationships to get people to come on the radio show and promote the call to “Adopt a Striker.” Rick also dropped off cases of soda donated by Local 776 to help the picketers on the strike line.

Follow the link below to be directed to the home of “The Rick Smith Show”-Where working people come to talk."

The Rick Smith Show

Local 776 Member Rick Smith (R) along with his son Alex (L) with striking UAW Members.

This gentleman knows his rights!

Wherever Rick and Alex Stopped they were met by UAW Members intent on getting a fair contract!

At the UAW Union Hall in Wayne MI, the site of a Ford plant.

Throughout the Labor Day weekend, there were various stay-at-home activities in the area. The York/Adams County Central Labor Council-AFL-CIO sponsored a fishing derby at York’s Kiwanis Lake. Local youth tried their fishing skills (with a little luck!) to catch the largest fish on Labor Day morning. Youth ages 1-15 were eligible and were divided into two age groups: 1-8 years of age, and 9-15 years of age.

Local 776 Business Agent Dave Wolf was on hand, helping out where he was needed and taking plenty of photos. It was a hot morning out on the lake, with all that casting and reeling going on everyone was thirsty, so Dave had a cooler full of bottled water on ice for the kids.

Once the derby ended the kid’s fish were counted and trophies were awarded. But all of the kids were winners; to assure that no one left empty-handed a new fishing rod and reel were presented to each participant! Local 776 BA Bill Olmeda scoured the York area for a good deal on a quantity of rods and reels to purchase and the Local Union donated 15 rod/reel combinations to the derby! The stay-at-home celebration continued with vendors, food, and music set up around the lake.

Commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson; “Thanks to Dave and Bill for taking the time to make sure the fishing derby was a success and the kids all had a good time!” “It’s always about the kids, they are our future!”

All smiles for the fish he landed!

A trophy and a smile!

Walking out of there with both hands full!

Pick a rod, any rod!

Nominations for Local 776 officers and Business Agents were held on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at the Local 776 Union Hall in Harrisburg.

The nomination meeting was conducted by William Gross of WDG Consulting. Once nominations were opened to the floor the incumbent Officers and Business Agents, collectively known as the Thompson-Hicks Slate-Teamsters for Teamsters, were each nominated, seconded, and then the nomination was accepted by each candidate. Mr. Gross called a second time for nominations from the floor. Hearing none Mr. Gross called a third and final time for nominations from the floor. Hearing no nominations after the third call Mr. Gross declared nominations closed. He then declared the Thompson-Hicks Slate Candidates winners of the election by acclamation.

Congratulations to all of the Slate Members on their successful bid for reelection. The elected term of office commences on January 1, 2024. The entire Thompson-Hicks Slate would like to thank all the members of Local 776 for their continued support in leading Local 776 in the best interest of the membership.

The Thompson-Hicks Slate:

First Row: L-R: Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks, President Ed Thompson.

Second Row L-R: Vice-President Chalmer Edgin, Trustee Dipan Patel, Recording Secretary Mark Cicak, Trustee Rob Smiley, Trustee Patrick Hollingshead.

Third Row: BAs Dave Wolf, Jason Kraft, John Taylor, Spencer Dearth.

Fourth Row: Dave Vrona, Bill Olmeda, Dave Licht, Shane Weaver, Mark Andreozzi.

Never Forget:

The cowardly acts perpetrated against our country by those who seek to destroy us and our way of life.

The innocent men, women, and children who lost their lives on this tragic day; only for being in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Our courageous first responders; who ran toward the disasters to offer help to those in need and perished while trying to help and serve their fellow Americans.

Our Country may have been down, and many would have crumbled under such crushing blows, but while we watched in horror as the events unfolded before our eyes, our strength and resolve grew and we became a determined people to punish those who promote terrorism and to make sure this tragedy would never happen again.

Most of us can recall where we were that tragic day, what we were doing as we first got word of the attacks on our country, and stood in shock as we watched the Twin Towers in New York City crumble. Please take a moment today to pause and remember those who perished on 9/11. Remember our first responders who face danger daily, and finally remember and thank our armed forces; both here at home and deployed around the world ensuring that America remains the Land of the Free and the home of the brave.

Despite billions in bailouts and concessions, Yellow shut its doors on July 30, 2022, and it filed for bankruptcy on August 6, 2023. Yellow's closure has resulted in job losses for hundreds of Local 776 members, and thousands of Teamsters nationally. The loss of a job is not just a loss of income; it is often the loss of an identity. For these losses, please accept our deepest sympathies. Although you may have lost your position at Yellow, you have not lost your Union Brothers' and Sisters' solidarity. While we cannot undo the damage Yellow caused, we can keep you informed and, to the extent possible, help you try to get paid for what you are owed. That is why we have created this FAQ fact sheet. To download, view, and print the 10-page document of FAQs follow the link below:

YRC New Penn FAQ

“On behalf of the Officers, the Business Agents, the staff of Local 776, and myself, I would like to wish all working men and women a Happy Labor Day.

American Labor built our great country. America became a world leader thanks to the men and women who built it. America is stronger when America works. No matter where you work or what you do your effort is part of the big picture; shaping your and your families’ lives so that our children, our future leaders, can use what we provided them to better themselves, and so on for the next generation.

Every laborer deserves a reward; for the American Worker, today is your day. Take a moment to reflect on what your work provides you and your family, be proud of what you do and be proud to live and work in our great country. Today, relax at your home, or with family and friends, and do something fun. Be motivated, stay determined, and keep the fire burning within you.”

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson

President, Teamsters Local 776

“On behalf of the Officers, the Business Agents, the staff of Local 776, and myself, I would like to wish all working men and women a Happy Labor Day.

American Labor built our great country. America became a world leader thanks to the men and women who built it. America is stronger when America works. No matter where you work or what you do your effort is part of the big picture; shaping your and your families’ lives so that our children, our future leaders, can use what we provided them to better themselves, and so on for the next generation.

Every laborer deserves a reward; for the American Worker, today is your day. Take a moment to reflect on what your work provides you and your family, be proud of what you do and be proud to live and work in our great country. This long Labor Day Weekend, relax at your home, or with family and friends, and do something fun. Be motivated, stay determined, and keep the fire burning within you.”

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson

President, Teamsters Local 776

On August 22, 2023, UPS Teamsters voted by an overwhelming 86.3 percent to ratify the most historic collective bargaining agreement in the history of UPS. The five-year contract protects and rewards more than 340,000 UPS Teamsters nationwide, raising wages for full- and part-time workers, creating more full-time jobs, and securing important workplace protections, including air conditioning. The agreement passed by the highest vote for a contract in the history of the Teamsters at UPS.

All supplemental agreements were ratified as well, except for the Local 769 LAI supplement which covers 174 members in Florida. The national master agreement will go into effect as soon as this supplement is renegotiated and ratified. The UPS Teamsters National Negotiating Committee will immediately meet with the company to work to resolve any outstanding issues with the supplement. Upon resolution, the adjusted supplement would be voted on by respective UPS Teamsters in person in their area. There are 44 supplements to the national master agreement.

“Our members just ratified the most lucrative agreement the Teamsters have ever negotiated at UPS. This contract will improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Teamsters have set a new standard and raised the bar for pay, benefits, and working conditions in the package delivery industry. This is the template for how workers should be paid and protected nationwide, and nonunion companies like Amazon better pay attention.”

“This is the richest national contract I’ve seen in my more than 40 years of representing Teamsters at UPS,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. “There are more gains in this contract than in any other UPS agreement and with no givebacks to the company. But the hard work doesn’t end here. We will continue to fight like hell to enforce this contract and make sure UPS lives up to every word of it over the next five years.”

To view the results of the vote by area or region follow the link below:

UPS Vote Count

After attending the Local 776 sponsored Job Fair for Yellow Corp. members the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry Rapid Response Team were at the Union Hall on August 17th to offer an informational session exclusively for Yellow Corp. Members.

The Rapid Response Team had individuals on hand to provide information regarding transition assistance programs and services such as Job Search, Workshops, Unemployment Compensation, Community Resources, Education, and Training Programs. Also present were Melissa Stevenson from PA Unemployment Compensation Benefits, and Judy Wechter, Outreach Coordinator for Pennie (The PA Healthcare Marketplace) to answer any questions.

As Local 776 Members formerly employed by Yellow Corp. transition into new careers in the workplace Local 776 will continue to offer any assistance possible to help them resume some normalcy in their lives. For additional information from the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry follow the link below:

PA. Dept. of Labor and Industry

Yanie Serrano, PA Department of Labor & Industry, Regional Representative Rapid Response Services

Judy Wechter, Outreach Coordinator for Pennie (Healthcare Marketplace)

Todd Updegraff, Program Manager for Pennsylvania CareerLink

The Truck says it all!

Recently Local 776 mailed the August 2023 edition of the "776 Review", the Local Union Newsletter, to the Membership. Was yours lost in the mail, or delivered damaged?

Perhaps you moved this summer and didn't update your address with the Local Union? If this is the case please call the Union Hall Offices during normal business hours to update your contact information.

The Newsletter can be found in the "Downloads" section under "Member Resources". there you may download, view and print the Newsletter to stay up to date with Local 776.