Recently, three Members retired with almost 80 years of service between them! They retired from three different employers, but with one common denominator: good-paying, good-benefit Teamster jobs! The retirees are:

Dale Cruz retired from ABF Freight after 36 years of service as a dock worker. Before his time at ABF, Dale worked at YRC as a casual for two years. The Teamsters run deep in the Cruz family: Dale's father worked at Yellow Freight, and his son presently works at ABF.

Dale and his wife, Sarah, have been married for 38 years and have four children: one daughter and three sons, along with seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Since retiring, Dale and Sarah have been to Puerto Rico, where Dale was raised, Tennessee, and Florida. They plan to travel the country as long as they can. When spending time at home, Dale likes to take care of his flower gardens and indoor palm trees.

Looking back, Dale reflected: "The guys at work were all awesome, I got along with everybody, I miss them already! Matt, my BA was always there when you needed him!"

Dale receives his retirement watch and congratulations from Local 776 BA John Taylor.

Jay Lawrence retired after working for 21 years at York County Prison as a Correctional Officer—quite an accomplishment in a job where you continually deal with people not having their best day.

Jay has been married to his wife Jovanna for 20 years, and they have quite a brood together: five children, 17 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren! How do you remember all their names! Now that he’s retired, Jay has more time to spend with that big family. Over the years, Jay and Jovanna found time to travel, having visited Rome, Greece, and Panama. Currently, Jay has 2 acres of grass to maintain, so he spends his time cutting the grass. Additionally, he collaborates with the Masons, assisting with fishing tournaments they sponsor to introduce kids to fishing. He also works with youth who are having trouble with their parents by just spending time with them, letting them know someone cares.

Think back on his time as a Teamster, Jay commented: “Work hard and play hard. Take time out to enjoy yourself and smell the roses! Life is so short it will quickly pass you by”

Jay is all smiles after picking up his retirement watch!

Joe Moyer recently retired from UPS after spending 21 years working at the Middletown Airport. Joe worked the AM shift, starting work around 5:00 AM as the UPS planes converged on the tarmac. In addition to working at UPS, Joe had a full-time landscaping company that kept him on the go. Since retiring from UPS, Joe sold the landscape business, but when contacted, he picks and chooses the jobs he would like to do. Not one to sit idly by and watch time go by, Joe Bartends part-time at a local watering hole!

With a step-son and a daughter combining for six grand kids, Joe has more time to see and visit with them now that his work schedule is reduced. In his spare time, Joe likes to fish, he fishes the Susquehanna River occasionally, but he lives on Swatara Creek with access to the water and mainly fishes the creek.

Looking back on 21 years as a Teamster, Joe reflected: “The people I worked with were great. The camaraderie and laughter while working made it easy to get through. It was a part-time job, but it provided excellent healthcare benefits that I relied on as a single parent. And after 21 years, I have a pension from a part-time job! I want to thank the Teamsters; they were always there when you needed them, and they made the wages and benefits possible.”

Joe receives his retirement watch and congratulations from Local 776 BA Dave Licht.

Congratulations on your retirements, gentlemen! May you enjoy your retirement for as long as it took you to earn it!

Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien and Teamsters members from Corewell Health East and Breakthru Beverage joined Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ,1^st District), Pete Stauber (R-MN, 8^th District), and union allies for the introduction of the Faster Labor Contracts Act. This legislation would require employers to collectively bargain with newly organized workers within 10 days of voting to form their union.

“When passed, the Faster Labor Contracts Act will put working families in this country back at the center of the American economy, and it has the potential to transform entire industries for the better,” O’Brien said. “This legislation is one of the most consequential bills for organized labor in generations. The Teamsters Union is calling on Congress to take this bipartisan bill seriously and pass it.”

The Faster Labor Contracts Act would prevent companies from delaying contract negotiations. This legislation would require management to return to the table and negotiate a deal or face stiff penalties.

The bill was initially introduced in the Senate earlier this year and has continued to gain strong bipartisan, bicameral support.

“The fact that the Faster Labor Contracts Act has bipartisan support is the icing on the cake, and it drives home the point that the future of the working class in this country should never be a partisan issue. This legislation will discourage employers from dragging their feet at the negotiating table.

Please keep the families of the slain York County Northern York Regional Police Department Detectives in your hearts and prayers as they navigate through these trying times. May they rest in peace.

Also, keep the wounded members of the YCRPD and the York County Sheriff’s Department, along with their families, in your prayers for a full recovery from the disaster that struck so close to home.

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson, President, Teamsters Local 776

16: ounces in a pound

16: the number of pieces each player starts with in a game of chess

16: days for Local 776 Members walking the picket line at the RISE Dispensary.

Profits continue to mount, but Green Thumb Industries, the parent company of RISE Dispensary, continues to show disdain for its workers. By not offering a contract that addresses the Members' needs, GTI is essentially casting them aside.

"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up"-Vince Lombardi.

The line will be up and walking today from 9 AM until 8 PM. Join us. The Dispensary is located at:

2139 White Street

York PA 17404

Please Don't Cross!

15:

It can refer to a group of 15 elements in the periodic table, known as the nitrogen family.

The number of days Local 776 Members have been on strike at the RISE Dispensary in York. 15 days of staying the course, their determination, and resolve to obtain a fair contract, stronger each day, remaining united. For every hour the dispensary is open, the Members are there; their dedication does not waver. 

The RISE dispensary will be open from 9 AM until 8 PM today. The Members will be on the line. All Union Members and friends of labor, join us in supporting these individuals as they face the evil RISE Dispensary with unflappable determination. RISE is located at:

2139 White Street

York PA 17404

We will not falter, we will not fail!

14 days: a period of two weeks.

14 days: In Old English literature, a fortnight.

14 days: People in the United States typically just say "two weeks.”

Fourteen days is the length of time Local 776 Members at RISE Dispensary have been on strike. Their strike surpasses the 13-day strike led by Teamsters Local 777 members at two Rise Cannabis dispensaries in Illinois. For details on the Illinois strike, follow the link below:

Local 777 RISE Strike

The Strike Line will be manned from 10 AM until 6 PM today at the RISE York Location:

2139 White Street

York PA 17404

Please Respect Our Picket Line:

Do Not Cross!

Number 13:

It is often seen as a symbol of unluckiness and misfortune, particularly in Western cultures

In Judaism, thirteen signifies the age at which a boy matures and becomes a Bar Mitzvah

At the Last Supper, Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus, was the 13th guest at the table.

The number of days Local 776  RISE Members have been on Strike.

For thirteen days, they have remained strong, united, and steadfast in their goal of achieving a fair contract.

Media coverage of the strike continues. For the latest interview, follow the link below;

RISE strike coverage.

The RISE strike line is located at:

2139 White Street

York, PA 17404

The line will be manned today from 8 AM until 9 PM. All members of organized labor, as well as friends of labor, are welcome!

Two proud generations of Teamsters!

Facts about the number 12:

12 items in a dozen

12 months in a year

12 signs in the zodiac

12 hours on a clock face

12 days on the line for the striking Local 776 Members at RISE Dispensary.

"We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail," President George W. Bush.

The strike line will be manned from 8 AM until 9 PM today. All Union Members, all friends of Labor, are invited to take a stand for the working man.

The word continues to spread; the IBT has issued a press release to all Locals about the ongoing struggle at RISE Dispensary. Follow the link below:

IBT Press Release

Please Respect our Picket Line, Do Not Cross!

Shame on RISE Dispensary!

Today, in remembrance of 9/11, Remember, Reflect, NEVER FORGET!

The Strike line will be manned today from 8 AM until 9 PM. Join us as we continue to fight for what's right!

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. 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.

NEVER FORGET!