On Saturday, January 7, 2023, Local 776 held an important training seminar pertaining to the “Impact of CBD in the Workplace"  The training was presented by attorney Wendy Pongracz, and attorney Joseph Richardson from the Law Firm of Willig, Williams, and Davidson.

In 2018, the passage of the Farm Bill made hemp legal in the United States. The Farm Bill removed all hemp-derived products, including CBD, from the Controlled Substances Act, which criminalizes the possession of drugs.

CBD comes in many forms, including oils, extracts, capsules, patches, vapes, and topical preparations for use on the skin. The biggest concern is that CBD is not regulated in the United States and purchasing these items is a risk.  Because CBD is not regulated, the buyer doesn’t know what is in the CBD products and they could contain THC, which could trigger a positive drug test.

Below is additional information provided by the attorneys during the training session.

Attorneys Richardson (L) and Pongracz from the Law Firm of Willig, Williams, and Davidson, along with Local 776 Organizer Ashley Cerzullo, present the materials to the Members

This past week Local 776 UPS Business Agents Dave Licht and Jason Kraft kicked off the New Year with a fresh round of actions in the fight for a strong UPS contract. Dave and Jason have been visiting UPS locations throughout Local 776’s jurisdiction in the fight for a strong contract.

The message to the company is clear: Teamster Members are united and this is the year we will end excessive overtime at UPS! In addition to excessive overtime, Dave and Jason have been talking to the members about the need to address 6^th and 7^th punches, end the two-tier 22.4 classification, and gain higher pay for part-timers.

Along with Dave and Jason, other Local 776 BAs in attendance were: Mark Cicak, Spencer Dearth, Bill Olmeda, John Taylor, Dave Vrona, Shane Weaver, and Dave Wolf. Also in attendance was Local 776 Organizer Ashley Cerzullo

Dave and Jason will be visiting every UPS location in the area growing awareness and building solidarity among the UPS members in the fight for a strong contract!

The message to UPS is strong from all Teamster Members: Full-time, Part-time, Package Car, and Feeders: We are United for a Strong Contract!

The deadline for applications for the JR Hoffa Memorial Scholarship fund is March 31, 2023. Details can be found below.

For more information on this and other scholarships available to qualifying Teamster dependants please visit the "Teamsters Scholarships" page found under Member Resources.

Please see below for information concerning CBD use in the workplace. An increasing number of members are unknowingly impacted in conjunction with exposure or usage of CBD-based products.

On behalf of the Officers, Agents, Staff, and myself I would like to wish everyone a Happy, Prosperous, and Safe New Year!!

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson, President Teamsters Local 776

On Saturday, December 17, 2022, Local 776 hosted our annual Christmas for Kids Community Services Christmas Party. Again this year due to Covid-19 concerns the party was held as a drive-thru for families to stop by, receive gifts and goodie bags from Santa, and share in the season. Santa and his “Elves” were busy making sure the right gifts got in the right vehicles, and with the kids’ smiling faces, it certainly looked like Christmas!

“We are fortunate to have so much, again this year more so than other years it’s important to help those in need share in the season. For some of these kids, this is their Christmas, and we try hard to help as many as possible,” commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson. “I would like to thank the Christmas for Kids Party Committee Members and also the Teamster Horsemen for all their hard work in putting this event together. Additionally, I would like to thank Bimbo Bakeries for their donations to help make the party a success.”

The Union Hall was full of gifts and treats for the kids!

The cars were filled With smiles!

A Smile for Santa!

with these gifts, the kids will have a Merry Christmas!

Even the "Big Kids" got to visit Santa!

To view additional photos from the Christmas for Kids event please visit the "Photo Gallery"

On December 18, 2022, Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks, Business Agent Spencer Dearth, and TForce Union Steward Joshua Todd assisted the Dauphin County Office of Human Services in moving donated items to the Harrisburg Farm Show complex for their annual Holiday Celebration for Needy Families. With the assistance of local businesses, corporations, and community partners, the Office of Human Services provides needy families with hundreds of gifts for the holiday season.

This year, many organizations were involved in moving the items to the distribution point, such as Milton Hersey School, Days Star Spiritual Recovery Center, Veterans of Pennsylvania/Georgia, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and several faith-based & and community partners from the Dauphin County Systems of Care, but it was the Local’s tractor-trailer, with a full trailer load of items such as bicycles, toys, clothing, and food items that moved the big load on this cold windy Sunday afternoon.

Spencer Dearth ( center, kneeling) with Helen Spence; System of Care Community Coordinator (standing directly behind Spencer)

Local 776 Steward Joshua Todd (second from right),  Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks (right, kneeling), and Local 776 BA Spencer Dearth (standing behind Todd and Hicks), pose with the crew involved in the move.

To view additional photos from the move please visit the "Photo Gallery".

Wayne Cox recently retired from UPS after 32 years. Wayne worked all of his time with UPS at the Middletown, PA airport, working the early morning “AM” shift. When Wayne says he worked there for 32 years he means it. He started at the airport on October 15, 1990, and retired on October 15, 2022! Wayne was a Local 776 Union Steward throughout his career at UPS. The airport operation at Middletown was just beginning when Wayne was hired; he quickly became a Steward because he saw how UPS tried to take advantage of the workers. Wayne was recognized by UPS for having worked 25 years without an on-the-job injury, quite an accomplishment considering the type of work involved in all types of weather.

Wayne’s 32 years at UPS is quite an accomplishment, but in the Cox household, he is the junior man. Wayne’s wife Brenda retired in November after spending 49 years in nursing! With both Wayne and Brenda retired they have more time to spend with their large extended family of nieces and nephews and are able to care for Brenda’s mother who lives with them.

Over the years Wayne and Brenda enjoyed meeting other Local 776 Members and hearing accounts of what transpired at other employers while attending Union events, especially the Steward’s Banquet, hosted by the Local Union.

Looking back Wayne commented he enjoyed his time being a Steward at UPS and that the Teamsters have taken care of him throughout his 32 years of active membership!

From everyone at Local 776 congratulations on your retirement Wayne, may you enjoy it for as long as you spent working for it!

Wayne shows off his Teamsters Local 776 watch he just received from Local 776 BA Dave Licht!

Todd has a big truck and it took a lot of toys to fill it so the challenge was on!

Todd's truck is parked at the Prison awaiting gifts

Local 776 Business Agent Shane Weaver (L) and Local 776 Member from Prison Maintenance Ryan Harper get the toys loaded into the truck!

After our Children’s Christmas Party drive-thru, extra presents were remaining. The Local again decided to help Santa with Christmas wishes by donating the toys to area agencies.  Here’s a rundown of agencies we helped to have a brighter Christmas:

New Hope Ministries: A Christian social service agency serving our neighbors in times of need and supporting their efforts toward stability.

Local 776 Organizer Ashley Cerzullo (Center) and Business Agent Dave Vrona (R), with New Hope staff

Olivia’s House: an organization of caregiving professionals and volunteers committed to supporting grieving children. Its purpose is to facilitate healing through grief and loss education.

K.C. Delp - Executive Director for Olivia’s House Gladly accepts our donations!

Ronald Mc Donald House: a home away from home that provides comfort, support, and resources to families who travel far from home for the medical care their child needs.

Local 776 BA Mark Cicak Has gifts for the staff to distribute

A hospital is no place for children, especially at Christmas time. The Hershey Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital and the Shriners Children’s Hospital received toys to make the kids there have a brighter holiday.

Shriners Children’s Hospital: Provides compassionate, innovative care that improves the quality of life for children and their families

BA's Mark Cicak (L) and Dave Licht at the Shriner's Zembo Mosque in Harrisburg

Hershey Medical Center: As the only children’s hospital between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia fully equipped to treat the most severely ill children it is the region’s pediatric healthcare leader.

Hershey Medical Center Members in red shirts Bob Krotser, Scottie Porter, and Mike Criswell, along with Local 776 Organizer Ashley Cerzullo (Center)

“During this season of caring, the season of sharing the Local remains committed to supporting the communities where our members live and work” commented Local President Ed Thompson. “From our community services Christmas project in York to helping these organizations it’s all about People Helping People.”