Drivers at XPO Logistics in Trenton, New Jersey made history of their own on Saturday, July 17 by ratifying their first contract, one week after their co-workers in Miami did the same, and the two groups now have their rights and protections in a legally binding contract for the first time.

“For the second time in one week, XPO workers ratified their first contract at XPO despite XPO management saying workers would never ratify a contract,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “These two groups’ positive contract votes give other XPO workers the hope that they too can fight and win a more secure future as Teamsters.”

“I’m proud to welcome all the XPO workers into the Freight Division, and I’m especially proud since the Trenton workers are members of my local, Local 701,” said Ernie Soehl, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division. “These two contract victories are critical in our fight to build worker power at XPO.”

“I’m happy to be joining our brothers in Miami who ratified their contract and I look forward to expanding and improving upon this two-year agreement that gives us a strong foundation to build from,” said Bruce Ryan, a linehaul driver at the former Con-way Freight and XPO since 1996. “I also look forward to bringing more XPO members into the Teamsters Union so that they can also have their rights and protections in writing.” XPO purchased Con-way in 2015 for $3 billion.

The group of 34 drivers at XPO in Trenton voted to join Local 701 in April 2017. XPO has delayed negotiations, broken labor laws, and mistreated workers, all in its attempt to deny workers their federally protected right to form their union and negotiate a contract.

The contract includes “just-cause” protections, a grievance process, successorship language, job protection language, and retirement protections, among other improvements.

Local 776 is saddened to learn of the passing of Richard “Dick” Boyd on Saturday, July 10 in York, Pa. Dick, of Glen Rock, PA, was a World War II combat veteran and longtime labor leader in Central Pennsylvania.

Dick spent more than 50 years tirelessly fighting for the rights of working men and women. He served several terms as president of United Steelworkers Local 4407, representing employees of Cole Steel in York. For 20 years, from 1987 to 2007, he was president of the York-Adams County Central Labor Council. York's Labor Day Parade and Workers Memorial Day observances were started under his leadership. He spearheaded the development and creation of the "Workers of York" statue that stands at the entrance to York's Agricultural and Industrial Museum. In 2004, he was awarded the Joseph A. Beirne Community Service Award from the United Way of America and was named Labor Leader of the Year by the United Way of Pennsylvania that same year. He was also involved in many other community organizations, including the South Central PA Workforce Investment Board, the York/Adams Drug and Alcohol Advisory Committee, the York Area Labor-Management Council, and in activities of the area's Democratic Party.

Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 18 in 1943 and served in seven countries during World War II. He was a paratrooper with the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the Battle of the Bulge. He was the author of two books: "The Bridge," about his union and military experiences, and "The River," about his memories of fishing on the Susquehanna River in the 1930s.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Sara (Strine) Boyd; daughters Rebecca Rishel and her husband Richard, and Elizabeth Thames; sons Richard and his wife, Katy, and Nicholas and his wife, Donna; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Barshinger of Lancaster County.

For his service to the labor movement and our nation, Unions thank Brother Dick Boyd. May he rest in peace.

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” – Benjamin Franklin

On behalf of the Officers, Business Agents, and staff of Local 776 I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July. America is the greatest country on earth; we enjoy freedoms, liberties, and rights unmatched in the world. No matter how you plan to spend the July 4^th Holiday please join with me in wishing our great Nation a Happy Birthday!

Ed Thompson,

President Teamsters Local 776

“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.” – William Faulkner

Mass transit can be transformational for Pennsylvania. Essential workers and the goods and services they provide like healthcare and groceries are reliant on fully-funded transit. PA’s economy is contingent on quality affordable and abundant transit. However, the clock is running out for PA’s transit riders, workers, and systems. The state’s major transit funding bill, Act 89, is set to expire in 2022. Without decisive action, PA will lose the transit systems that fuel our economy and connect us to life’s essentials. The clock is ticking for legislators to find a replacement-funding source to provide hundreds of millions of dollars in annual dedicated payments to public transit agencies across the state.

Spearheaded by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), over a Hundred PA transit riders and workers rallied in Harrisburg on June 29, 2021, to launch the “Transit for All PA!” platform. The ATU is calling for fully funded transit to meet the needs of workers and the economy. Without a replacement for Act 89, a fiscal cliff will result in service cuts, layoffs, fare hikes for millions of PA transit riders and workers, and an economic crisis across the entire state. As a solution, the new Transit for All PA! Campaign puts forward a $1.65 billion platform for transit that moves all Pennsylvanians and boosts the state’s economy. The expiration of Act 89 will also risk the livelihoods of thousands of good, union jobs for workers in transit service provision and transit parts manufacturing in all regions of the state.

In a show of solidarity with the ATU, and support for our Transit members at Rabbit Transit, Local 776 attended the rally. Local 776 was represented by BA’s Mark Cicak, Bill Olmeda, and Dave Vrona, along with Local 776 Trustee Patrick Hollingshead. Also attending were members Rick Smith and John Brownawell, a Steward from YRC.

L-R: Second from left: BA Bill Olmeda, Trustee Patrick Hollingshead, BA Dave Vrona, BA Mark Cicak. Directly behind Mark is YRC Steward John Brownell. Behind the camera: Rick Smith.

If you were around in 1969, you remember American Astronauts landing on the moon. Teamster Member Jim Haugh also remembers starting work at the then Borger Steel Co., now Metals USA. A lot happened in those 52 years, Jim married his wife of 46 years Lisa, they have two children, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. After 52 years of working, that’s more than ½ a century, it’s time to move on! On June 30^th they decided to begin a new chapter in their lives and embark on a new journey: Retirement! They are both looking forward to doing some local traveling, and have trips to Myrtle Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and Freeport, Bahamas on their horizon. In addition, all those kids will keep them busy! From everyone at Local 776 congratulations Jim, enjoy your retirement, after 52 years you deserve it!

Jim receives his Teamster retirement watch from His Business Agent, Bill Olmeda. Congratulations Jim!

Attention all you golfers, hackers, and duffers! It’s that time of the year again; the Local 776 Golf Tournament is scheduled for Sunday August 1, 2021. Get your partners together, dust off those clubs, find your golf shoes and come on out for a day of golf with your fellow Teamsters. Full details can be found below:

The number of participants is limited to 36 foursomes (144 players). Spaces fill up quickly so don’t delay, get your group together and sign up! All fees must be paid by Monday July 26, 2021.

The 30^th International Convention of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters convened on June 22, 2021. The IBT has created a website to keep you informed on news and events from the convention. All that is required is to verify your E-Mail address. Follow the links below to be directed to the convention website.

IBT 2021 Convention

IBT Guests

Living up to the motto on the side of the Local 776 tractor trailer “People helping People”, several Business Agents and Union Stewards from TForce Freight (Formerly UPS Freight) helped pack food boxes at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank on May 22^nd and June 18^th. The Agents and Stewards packed a combined 900 boxes of food to be distributed throughout Central PA. Each box was sent down an assembly line and filled with needy items including cereal, vegetables, juice, and other needed items.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is a non-profit organization committed to ending hunger in 27 counties across central Pennsylvania. Central Pennsylvania Food Bank distributes food through 1,000 local agencies and programs and serves more than 200,000 people in need each month.

BA's helping people: L-R Spencer Dearth, Mark Andreozzi, Mark Cicak, Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks, and George Goodling

Local 776 Trustee Dipan Patel, TForce Freight Steward Kevin Weagle, BA Spencer, and TForce Freight Steward Joshua Todd.

New Logo, Same Great Service!

After a one year hiatus due to the pandemic Local 776 again held their membership family picnic on Sunday June 13^th. Knoebels amusement park was the place for a day of food, fun, fellowship and good times with family, friends, and co-workers. What a way to kick off the unofficial start of summer! Schools out, the weather cooperated; just a slight breeze to keep it comfortable, and Knoebels! Over 4,000 members, spouses, kids, grandkids, and retirees had registered for the picnic, making it one of Local 776’s largest member events. Inside the park, judging by the number of Teamster hats, T-shirts, and sweatshirts seen there was a steady stream of Teamster Members milling about the park enjoying themselves.

As is the custom at Local 776 events, tickets were sold throughout the day for a 50-50 drawing to benefit the Local Union’s scholarship fund. Austin O’Brien, who works at YRC, was the lucky winner and was awarded 50% of the money collected.

Commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson “Words can’t describe the feeling of seeing my Brothers and Sisters, along with their families and friends, together as one united group enjoying each other, the day and the park. I’m proud of this turnout; it’s you, the members, supporting your Local Union, who fuel that sense of pride. I’d like to thank EVERYONE from Local 776 who put so much time and effort into making the picnic a success. Without your support this event could not happen”.

To view additional photos from the picnic please visit the Photo Gallery to view “Knoebels Family Picnic 2021. There is also gallery titled “Members Knoebels Photos 2021” submitted by members.

Come on in!

They got their tickets and are ready to go!

A view from above!

A day with the grandkids!!

50-50 Raffle winner Austin O'Brien

(L-R) 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks, Austin's wife Laurie, Austin's daughter Kendra, Austin, Local 776 President Ed Thompson.

Hey Austin; did you even get to touch any of that money???

To view additional photos from the picnic please visit the Photo Gallery to view “Knoebels Family Picnic 2021. There is also gallery titled “Members Knoebels Photos 2021” submitted by members.

 Local 776 again is offering safety vests emblazoned wit the Teamster Logo. Show your Teamster Pride while being safe. The vests are available in: Medium, Large, XL, 2XL, 3XL, and 4XL for $25.00. The vests are available for pick up at the Harrisburg Union Hall during normal business hours.

Be Seen, Be Safe!