Teamsters Local 776 is offering training in advanced life-saving techniques to the membership. Participants will be trained and certified in CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation), and AED (Automatic External Defibrillator). Full details can be found below:

Teamsters Local 653 had been on strike against Sysco Foods Boston since October 1, 2022. Teamster trucks from Minnesota, Pennsylvania, including Local 776, New York, and throughout New England showed up in the early hours of Monday, October 17, 2022, as a show of support to Teamsters Local 653 and Sysco Boston Teamsters in their fight against Sysco. Local 776 Members Rich Stover, and Kevin Weagle, both from TForce Freight, drove the Local’s truck to Boston to join in the show of solidarity.

Teamster Trucks form up prior to descending on Sysco

The Local 776 tractor-trailer takes it's place in line!

Local 653’s strike lines were supported by Local 104 members at Sysco Arizona and Local 317 members at Sysco Syracuse. More locals promised to honor the line if pickets appeared at their facilities.

An agreement was reached Thursday, October 20 between members of Teamsters Local 653 and their employer Sysco Boston, ending the 20-day-long strike. The new five-year agreement marks the end of this round of coordinated bargaining following major contract wins for Local 104 members at Sysco Arizona and Local 317 members at Sysco Syracuse. This national effort, which was acknowledged by the company, was the key to the great results achieved at Sysco Boston.

“These workers were fearless. They were going to hold the line until they got the contract they deserved, and they did,” said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “Let this be a lesson to Sysco and any other employer that our members are united and ready to fight back for what they deserve.”

Recently several Members of Local 776 have traded their work-a-day routines for the routine of a Retiree. Some ask; what is the routine of a retiree? Whatever they want it to be! No time clock, no boss, no worries, no problem!

Rich Gotwalt retired from Bimbo Bakeries (The parent Co. of Stroehmann-Maiers) after 36 years working in the bread business. Rich started his career with Stroehmann in 1986, working as a mechanic on the fleet of trucks in Reading, PA. When Stroehmann opened a York location in 1990, he transferred to that location. After 14-15 years of turning wrenches, he switched to working in the shipping dept., where he remained until retirement.

Rich has been married to his wife Sherry for 42 years. They have a daughter, two grandsons, and a great-granddaughter who will all be vying for Rich’s time now that he has retired! Sherry will be retiring in November of this year, once that event occurs they will start making some retirement plans as far as travel goes.

Rich commented that he can’t complain, he had a great time while working as a Teamster and is looking forward to enjoying retirement life! Enjoy your retirement Rich, you worked long and hard for it!

Local 776 BA Bill Olmeda presents his long-time friend Rich Gotwalt with his retirement watch!

Local 776 Member Jackie Joyce recently retired after working at UPS in Harrisburg for 20 years. Jackie was an inside employee at the Harrisburg hub, starting out part-time as most employees do, then transferring to a full-time job when the opportunity presented itself. After 20 years of unloading, sorting, and loading packages Jackie was ready for retirement. Congratulations Jackie, enjoy retirement!

Jackie Joyce (L) receives his Local 776 Retirement Watch from his BA Dave Licht

Mary Nace retired from York County earlier this year. Mary worked in York County Courts in the Domestic Relations Dept. for 22 years. She was a Union Steward during her time with York County. Now that Mary has retired from the County, a chapter of her life has closed and a new one has opened. Mary plans on being more active in her son’s life; spending time traveling, going to the beach, playing ball, etc.

In closing Mary adds that working in Domestic Relations was a great experience, she was close to all of her co-workers, and they were like an extended family.

Mary receives her retirement watch and congratulations from Local 776 BA Dave Wolf

Local 776 Member Dave Reese retired from Gettysburg Boro after 41 years of employment. Dave started his career with the Boro working in the parking dept., then the highway maintenance dept. Over the course of 41 years, he has done all of the Boro jobs at one time or another from repairing parking meters to plowing snow and everything in between!

Dave and his wife Susan have been married for 34 years and have a daughter and three sons between them. Additionally, there are six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter who will be looking to keep him busy now that he has some extra time available. Dave plans to stay active, he likes to hunt and fish and is hoping to get more time for both. Retirement will also afford more time to spend with his mom; she is 95 ½ years old and he is her caregiver along with other family members.

In closing, Dave would like to thank the Teamsters and his BA Bill Olmeda for all they have done for the members at Gettysburg Boro. Also thanks to the guys he worked with over the years and shared so much time with.

Local 776 BA BIll Olmeda Congratulates Dave on his retirement with his retirement watch!

Local 776 member Michael Carricato, an officer for the Gettysburg Police Dept. had been improperly discharged in November 2017. Following the hearing, Local 776 filed a grievance. Here is where the odyssey begins with Gettysburg Borough throwing good money after bad money. Everyone is familiar with Dr. Seuss's nursery rhymes; the cat in the hat, green eggs and ham, etc. Read the following paragraph in the same rhyming way:

We will defeat you in the rain, we will defeat you on a plane, we will defeat you on a train, we could even defeat you in the state of Maine, surely you must at some point feel some sort of pain, for all the taxpayer funds you have wasted in vain, Care to explain?

Local 776 President Ed Thompson, who was present at the Carricato discharge hearing, explains:

“The Loudermill Hearing was held at the Gettysburg Borough Hall with Gettysburg Borough Manager Charles Gable, former Gettysburg Borough Mayor Ted Streeter, Officer Michael Carricato, and myself. “I told Gable immediately that they were conducting this hearing improperly and it was going to come back to haunt them,” said Thompson. “I have been through many of these hearings, and I knew they were conducting it improperly. I voiced my objections to assure my client’s rights were protected but also to attempt to protect the taxpayers in Gettysburg who will now be footing this bill”. During the hearing, former mayor Streeter told Carricato and Thompson the borough was following the advice of its labor attorney to terminate Carricato. After the hearing, Local 776 filed a grievance. The grievance was denied by the borough and scheduled for arbitration. The arbitrator sustained the grievance on May 9, 2019, stating that the borough did not have just cause to fire Carricato. The arbitrator ordered Carricato reinstated with respect to pay or benefits (minus interim earnings). The arbitrator concluded that because the borough did not provide a proper hearing for the officer to defend himself against any claims brought by the district attorney they denied Carricato his right to due process and failed to meet their minimal obligations.

 Here is where the odyssey continues, with the borough not accepting the arbitrator’s decision and filing appeal after appeal. Local 776 fought and defeated Gettysburg Borough in arbitration, The Court of Common Pleas (Adams County, Pennsylvania), The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. The odyssey lasted more than four years, as the Borough continued to throw more good money after bad money.

President Thompson said, “While we prevailed in this case and Brother Carricato was compensated for his financial loss, what the Borough did to him is appalling. The only winner, in this case, is the Attorney representing the Borough, who continued to bill the taxpayers of Gettysburg to provide bad legal advice to fight a losing battle. We will fight in any venue to protect our Members' contractual and federally guaranteed rights. Good Luck to Brother Carricato with his future endeavors.”

Local 776 Business Agent Mark P. Andreozzi presents a check to Brother Michael Carricatto in the amount of $120,000 for his losses during the odyssey journey.

After weeks of contentious contract negotiations with the company, more than 230 workers represented by Teamsters Local 317 went on strike on Wednesday September 28, 2022 at a Sysco distribution warehouse in Syracuse, NY. Local 317 filed an unfair labor practices case against Sysco with the National Labor Relations Board on Sept. 21, a month after its contract expired and a few days before calling the strike. In the filing, the union cited three occasions after the contract expired in which the company brought in non-union workers to do union work, even though the union workers were still on the job. The filing also cited at least four occasions after the contract expired in which the company was “forcing” union members to work at least three hours of overtime. Strikers on the picket line reported that Sysco was making workers report for overtime over weekends with no full days off. The charges the union brought against the company also cite instances in which the company “unilaterally” changed signing bonuses for new drivers. In each of these cases, the Teamsters filed grievances against Sysco, to which the company did not respond.

The well-known Teamster "Rat" was on hand to show his displeasure with Sysco.

In a show of solidarity for the striking members, Local 776 dispatched their tractor-trailer to Syracuse to join the striking Local 317 members on the picket line. Local 776 Members John Brownawell, and Austin O’Brien, Union Stewards from YRC, arrived at the strike line on Monday, October 3^rd. Previously, Teamster Trucks from Local 120 in Minnesota and Joint Council 25 from Boston were there to lend support to the striking members.”

Local 776 Members John Brownawell (L) and Austin O'Brien (R) along with a Local 317 member.

An injustice to one is an injustice to all” Commented Local 776 president Ed Thompson. “I want to commend the striking members for standing tall and united, not being intimidated by this ruthless employer. Supporting other Teamster Locals is another way we send a message to the employers that we are strong, united, and determined to win the best contracts possible for Teamster Members!” Also, thanks to John and Austin, for taking time away from the families to spend time supporting their Union Brothers as Sysco!

Captain America was on hand to show support for the Striking Teamster Members!

2023 will be a busy year at Local 776; along with the approximately 20 “white paper” contracts the Local Union will negotiate, three national contracts will be negotiated. With regard to the UPS contract, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien pledged to win a contract that will “reset the standards for wages and benefits in this industry by August 1, 2023. We’ll either have a signed agreement that day or be hitting the pavement.” With that in mind a Strike Preparation and Picket Line Training Seminar was held at the Harrisburg Union Hall for Stewards and members employed at ABF, TForce Freight, and UPS on Saturday, October 8, 2022.

The purpose of the training seminar was to discuss and prepare the members in the event a strike or work stoppage is called and to ease the stress on our members and their families.

Business Agent Mark Cicak spoke on different types of strikes and ways members can prepare themselves and their families. Trustee Patrick Hollingshead spoke on signs a strike may be called. Business Agent Spencer Dearth spoke on what to expect after the strike has been called, preparations that must be made, and conduct on a picket line.

In the end, after all the questions were answered, the well-attended seminar gave the members some insight into preparing for a strike and what to expect after a strike is called. The Union also gained a group of members that can be called on to assist if needed.

A strike or work stoppage is only called after every opportunity to ratify a successor agreement is exhausted.

Members' attention is focused on the podium....

As BA Mark Cicak, BA Spencer Dearth, and Trustee Patrick Hollingshead conduct the seminar.

Teamsters Local 776 is offering training in advanced life-saving techniques to the membership. Participants will be trained and certified in CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation), and AED (Automatic External Defibrillator). Full details can be found below:

Two members of Teamsters Local 776 involved in a new Teamster-affiliated apprenticeship program In Pennsylvania told White House officials today that programs like theirs provide quality training for the next generation of drivers to fill good-paying union jobs.

Yellow Freight drivers Chuck Blake and Austin O’Brien, Jr. participated in “Communities in Action: Building a Better Pennsylvania,” where they shared how the unveiling of the Trucking Action Plan by the Biden administration earlier this year led to Local 776 members teaming up with Yellow Freight to form the new training program in Carlisle, Penn.

Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said the new training is an example of how the public and private sector can work together to fill a need for more truckers nationwide. In addition, he is confident the effort will not stop in the Keystone State.

“This country badly needs more trucking jobs that actually pay high wages and big benefits, and we need more Teamster truck drivers out there keeping store shelves full and the supply chain moving,” O’Brien said. “The apprenticeship program offered by Local 776 provides a roadmap for other locals and companies to follow. The Teamsters are up to the challenge to help expand these educational and economic opportunities.”

Local 776 Members Austin O'Brien (L) and Chuck Blake

Local 776 President Ed Thompson said Blake and Austin O’Brien were selected to attend the White House event because they best knew the inner workings of the apprenticeship program. Thompson is proud that his local is at the forefront of this effort for the Teamsters.

“Local 776 is located in a prime area for trucking transportation, so the creation of this apprenticeship program is providing a real opportunity for workers to train up for a job that can support a middle-class lifestyle,” he said.

Austin O’Brien, the lead shop steward at Yellow Freight in Carlisle, worked with the company to set up the training facility at his job site. He said while the effort is still new, the initial results are encouraging.

“The driving academy in my community has demonstrated a 90-to-95 percent success rate of completion for qualifying commercial drivers,” he said.  “That equates to jobs with higher wages and better benefits for those who choose to apply themselves.”  

Blake, who has worked for Yellow Freight for more than 30 years, is the lead trainer at the new driving academy. He said the trucker training offerings expanded by the Biden administration is a boon for the industry.

“The apprenticeship program that came from the administration has helped the industry with driver shortages,” Blake said. “With our training, it will help someone have a safe professional career with great pay and benefits and give them the ability to provide for their family.”

Between July 25th and July 30th, 2022, thunderstorms brought heavy rain, deadly flash flooding, and devastating river flooding to eastern Kentucky. These thunderstorms, at times, caused rainfall rates in excess of 4" per hour which led to widespread devastating impacts. The overwhelming amounts of rain and resultant flooding led to 39 deaths and widespread catastrophic damage. 

Entire homes and parts of some communities were swept away by floodwaters, leading to costly damage to infrastructure in the region. Radar-based rainfall estimates suggest that upwards of 14-16" of rain fell during this 5-day period, with many more locations receiving 6-10" of rain. The incredible rainfall led to significant flooding on many rivers in eastern Kentucky. The river flooding caused a second round of destruction for communities in the region and caused flooding in downstream areas that did not receive as much rainfall. Damage estimates in Perry County show that 23% to 24% of the homes had been destroyed.

Area resident Chris Darhower used his contacts in law enforcement and as a firefighter to reach out to area agencies to begin a relief effort. As Chris began to amass relief supplies for the devastated region, he quickly had more supplies than he had room in a rental truck! Enter Local 776 UPS member Phil Thompson, a friend of Chris’s. Once he saw what Chris had amassed so far, with more expected, Phil got the Local Union involved by having Chris contact Local President Ed Thompson. Ed wasted no time getting the particulars of where to pick up and where to go, setting the wheels in motion for a Local 776 relief mission. Phil became the driver for this particular trip, and quickly a plan materialized. The first was a trip to a local Amazon warehouse for generously donated items. Next, a stop at a local non-profit agency, Mission Central. Mission Central acts as a distribution hub to receive, sort, and categorize, and then distribute relief items where they are needed. Lastly, a stop at Chris’s home, where supplies were already loaded on 20 skids. When all of this was completed, Phil weighed the load at 32,000 pounds! Items included school supplies, personal hygiene kits, clothing, building supplies, pet food, barbeque charcoal for cooking, and water treatment and filtration kits. Phil and Chris left for Hazard, Kentucky on September 1, followed by Chris’s friend Collin Morton in another truck with over-flow supplies. The first stop to unload was in Whitesburg, KY, to deliver the building supplies to a local church being used as a distribution point for the relief effort. Next up was to deliver the remaining supplies to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) distribution point in Hazard, KY. A vacant JC Penney store was used as a collection/distribution site and was a site of non-stop activity. While being unloaded one of the Perry County workers remarked to Phil what a well-rounded load of supplies were included. As quickly as skids of donations were unloaded from the truck, they were immediately moved to the distribution floor for eagerly waiting people. Their work complete Phil headed the truck back to Harrisburg, arriving at the Union Hall on Saturday morning.

Commented Chris on the event: “Phillip Thompson chauffeured our load and me safely to Hazard, Kentucky. He’s a proud member of Local 776 and a good friend of mine. I owe him for introducing me to a wonderful group of Teamsters dedicated to helping people make a difference. These guys and gals have been there every step of the way and I feel like family, despite the fact they didn’t even know my name a few days ago. Everyone down here has been so grateful for your assistance and willingness to help.” As one person who stopped to admire the truck told us, “We stay poor down here in Eastern Kentucky. This is all we know, and many who have spent their entire lives working just to have a trailer and an old car lost that, too. It’s devastating for us.” 

“When disaster strikes and someone needs help we are available at a moment's notice,” commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson. “I would like to thank everyone at Local 776 who worked to make this trip happen as quickly as it did.

Stops at an Amazon warehouse and Mission Central started the relief effort

The load quickly became high and tight!

Local 776 Member Phil Thompson (R) and Collin Morton secure the loads before leaving

(L-R): Relief coordinator Chris Darhower, Robin and David; Union volunteers working at the FEMA relief site, Local 776 Member Phil Thompson, and Collin Morton, driver of the second supply laden vehicle

The truck says it all:

"People Helping People"

To view additional photos from the trip please visit the website’s “Photo Gallery”

Photo Courtesy Reuters

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, 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 insuring that America remains the Land of the Free and the home of the brave.