Local 776 held their annual Children’s Christmas Party, sort of, as a “Drive-thru” on Saturday, December 10, 2022. Unfortunately again this year it was not the joyful event we are accustomed to with the Union Hall filled with our kids, family, friends, and coworkers gathering throughout the day, with the Christmas Spirit overflowing from the Hall. Nevertheless, Christmas is in the air, and judging from the smiles on the kids they didn’t seem to mind! Cars lined up at both the Harrisburg and York Union Halls for the kids to receive a gift, a goodie bag filled with cookies and candy treats, and a chance to say Merry Christmas to Santa! From the smiles on the member’s faces, it looks like they were having a good time also!

“Our Christmas party has a long tradition of serving the Local’s members and their families,” commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson. “While not the party we are accustomed to, we’ll find a way to continue our tradition. I would like to thank everyone; the Officers, Business Agents, and staff, who worked to make this event a success!”

All smiles for Santa from this group!

He might be a hockey fan but he's got Santa and Christmas on his mind!

The Drive-thru brings out the smiles in everyone!

This is Local 776 Member Matt Miller's first grandson, Flynn. Flynn is six months old and this was his first time seeing Santa Claus!

Additional photos from the “party” can be found in the Photo Gallery on the website and on the Local 776 mobile app.

From everyone at Teamsters Local 776, Merry Christmas!

Dan Loope: Dan recently retired from UPS after a 30-year career. Like most long-term UPS members Dan started out as a part-time employee working in the Harrisburg Hub. He worked his way through a part-time air driver, a package car driver, and finally a feeder driver where he spent most of his 30 years running up and down the highway. While at UPS Dan was inducted into the UPS Circle of Honor for obtaining 25 years of safe driving. During that span, Dan drove over one million miles! Dan is married to his wife Debbie, they have two children, a girl, and a boy. Debbie is still working, once she retires they’ll start making some travel plans to enjoy their retirement. Dan is currently devoting more time to his church, being more active in church activities now that he has more time to devote.

Dan shows off the retirement watch he just received from Local 776 BA Dave Licht

John Sarnowski: John recently retired from UPS after 33 years of service. John spent the majority of his time as a feeder driver at the Harrisburg Hub.

John is all Smiles after receiving his retirement watch from Dave!

Scott Seltzer: Scott recently retired from UPS after 33 years of service. Scott spent the majority of his time as a feeder driver at the Harrisburg Hub.

Scott shows off his watch he just received from Dave!

From everyone at Local 776 congratulations on your retirements guys! Make you all enjoy as many years of retirement as the years you spent earning it!

The Children's Christmas Party will be a drive-thru again this year. Full details can be found below:

On behalf of the Officers, Agents, Staff, and myself, I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. If you are traveling to gather with family and friends during the holiday please be safe. AAA predicts 54.6 million Americans will travel from their homes for the Holiday.

We all have so much to be thankful for, please find a place in your heart for those less fortunate than us, and help them in any way that you can. When enjoying your holiday dinner; remember the hungry, when enjoying good, health; remember the sick. Lastly, remember our military personnel, many of who are away from their families and loved ones protecting the rights and liberties that we cherish in our great country.

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson,

President, Teamsters Local 776

Robert “Bob” Shoop retired in September 2022, after 30 ½ years as a Correctional Officer at York County Prison. Prior to his time at YCP Bob was a C.O. in Adams County for 3 years. Over 33 years in corrections is a remarkable feat considering the daily stress of dealing with the less desirable members of our society. While at YCP Bob ran the community clean-up program in the York area for the past eleven years. During that time, the inmates worked on 33 Habitat for Humanity houses, built two fire hall museums, and worked on various projects for townships and boroughs in the area such as hanging Christmas lights and decorations, and fixing water leaks. Bob’s goal for the program was to teach the inmates to get out and help people.

Now that he is retired and has some time on his hands, Bob, an avid angler, aims to catch a fish in every state. Bob has seven states under his belt, so there are many fish to go! He plans to see the sights while traveling to various fishing destinations. One destination that may happen yet this year is ice fishing in Maine!

On leaving the prison bob’s parting words to his fellow C.O’s are “Stay safe, it's good to have a fellow Teamster with you all the time watching your back!”

From everyone at Local 776, congratulations on your retirement Bob, enjoy it!

Bob shows off his retirement watch as BA Shane Weaver looks on

Local 776 conducted a life-saving skills training seminar on November 12, 2022. With training provided by One Heartbeat Away, LLC all of the participants were trained and certified in CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation), and AED (Automatic External Defibrillator).

At the conclusion, Local President Ed Thompson summed it up by commenting: “The training these members received today could make the difference when they are confronted with a life or death situation involving a loved one, a co-worker, or the general public. The Local remains committed to providing our members with the tools and information they need to enhance their lives as well as the people around them.

Instructor Gerry Fretwell has everyone's attention as he conducts the class

After the instruction, the members got "hands-on" training under Gerry's watchful eye

With the opening of a new UPS facility in Middletown PA, resulting in approximately an additional 750 members for the Local Union the Local 776 Executive Board has appointed Jason Kraft as a Business Agent. Jason is a 21-year Teamster at UPS in Harrisburg, PA.  Jason served as a Package Car Shop Steward from 2006-11, and again from 2014-2022.  He is a former Business agent at Teamsters Local 776 from 2012-2014.

As a Business Agent, Jason Represents Members at UPS Harrisburg Package Car, Preload and Customer Counter, UPS Carlisle Package Car and Preload, UPS EZRPA (Hershey Center) Package Car, Preload and Customer Counter, UPS York, UPS Market Street, and UPS Gettysburg. Additionally, Jason represents 776 Members at East Pennsboro Township, Bimbo Bakeries Harrisburg, Bimbo Bakeries York, and Pipeline and Building Trades.

Congratulations on your appointment Jason!

Local 776 Business Agent Jason Kraft

This past July employees of the Mifflin County Correctional Facility (MCCF) contacted Local 776 Organizer Ashley Cerzullo concerning representation by Local 776. At the time, the employees were represented by an association known as ICOP but were dissatisfied with the representation they were receiving. Once the employees had signed authorization cards requesting Local 776 as their bargaining agent ICOP relinquished the representation rights of their members to Local 776. Upon joint certification by the Labor Board of the change, Mifflin County recognized the Local as the members’ new bargaining representative. The new Teamster members number approximately 45 and include correctional officers, sergeants, corporals, and the maintenance dept.

Local 776 Business Agent Shane Weaver then went to work as the new members’ Business Agent. No stranger to corrections Shane currently represents Local 776 members at Dauphin County Prison, Perry County Prison, and York County Prison. The current MCCF collective bargaining agreement will remain in place until it expires in 2024. The parties agreed to follow the grievance procedure as circumstances dictate until the members ratify a new agreement. Shane is currently working on having Union Steward elections so the members will have Union representation on site.

On behalf of everyone at Local 776 welcome to the Teamsters!

Friday, November 11, is Veterans Day when we honor Americans who have served to preserve our freedom. On behalf of everyone at Local 776, I wish all Veterans a Happy Veterans Day! 

Because of your devoted service, and unwavering loyalty to our great country, we are able to enjoy the freedoms and rights that make this country great and remain the home of the free. For that, we thank you for your service!

If you know a Veteran, reach out to him or her and thank them. If you notice a gathering on Veterans Day, honor them with your thanks.

This day is to honor the Veterans, but please take a moment to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our rights and liberties.

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson,

President Teamsters Local 776

Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. There are just a few short days until the most critical election of our lifetimes in Pennsylvania. Months of hard work by countless union volunteers across Pennsylvania and the nation have been focused on reaching out to PA Union voters on the issues that matter most to Union families.

The future of Pennsylvania's labor movement and democracy rest on the outcome of this election. Make your plan to vote in person on Election Day or drop your mail-in ballot before 8 pm Tuesday. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about the importance of getting out to vote.