The May 2021 Membership Meeting will be Sunday May 16, 2021 at the Harrisburg Union Hall, commencing at 10:00 AM. Come to learn about your Local Union, come for the fellowship and camaraderie with your Union Brothers and Sisters, come for lunch! At the conclusion of the meeting, Lunch is on Local 776!

Up in Smoke BBQ will be on hand providing your choice of pulled pork or beef brisket sandwiches.

In addition to the sandwiches, there will be macaroni and cheese, and baked beans. It’s definitely a meal to stick to your ribs! (Pun intended!). See you on Sunday!

What a year it has been; the pandemic has affected everyone in some way or another. Last year many Local 776 events were canceled or had to be modified to be held at all. For 2021 things are looking up, Local 776 is again having our Family Picnic at Knoebels! Join your family, friends, fellow workers, and all of your Local 776 Brothers and Sisters for a day at Knoebels!! Full details can be found below:

See you at the Picnic!!

Recently Local 776 mailed the Spring 2021 issue of the "776 Review" to the membership. If you didn't receive your copy don't worry; it's available to download and view. The Newsletter can be found in the "Downloads" section under the Member Resources page.

The IBT has released the following information concerning UPS Freight pension issues with regard to the Sale of UPS Freight.

For more information concerning the sale of UPS Freight and to sign up for news and upsates from the IBT follow the link below:

UPS Freight Update

YRCW has announced that it will be paying Teamster Members a bonus this year per language negotiated in the last agreement. Full details can be found below:

Being a UPS delivery driver is hard work: long hours, extreme temperatures, mean dogs, and a host of other problems, and the COVID-19 pandemic did not make it any easier. Local 776 UPS member Chad Turns faces these dilemmas daily. Chad, a 17-year employee, delivers to the town of Dauphin, PA. Throughout the pandemic, he has been working approximately 70 hours per week making sure the residents got their deliveries on time and in good condition. The town’s residents noticed his dedication and commitment. As Chad was making a stop at the local firehouse, the town’s residents met him with a surprise “Thank You” celebration. For details on the surprise gathering, follow the link below:

Chad Turns

Photo courtesy of Kristie Vogelsong

Recent winter weather took a toll on the U.S. At one point, approximately 75% of the country was snow covered. Extreme cold covered Texas and the south. Texas remained in the frigid grip of winter storms as an arctic blast deepened an electricity supply crisis that has forced millions to endure days without power and heat. Pipes froze and burst across the state, and icicles hung from kitchen faucets in Houston, as Texas utilities struggled to restore power to millions of residents affected by the brutal winter weather, officials were scrambling to provide clean water as well. Cities and counties across the state, including Houston, San Antonio and Austin, had issued boil water notices stemming from concerns about contamination and low water pressure as frigid temperatures froze pipes, leaving some households with little to no running water. The boil water notices compounded the frustrations of some residents who stated that they do not have the power or electricity to boil water or are without water completely.

During the height of the crisis in Texas Local 776 received a call from the IBT. The International had a truckload of bottled water marked for delivery to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and needed someone to deliver it. Without hesitation, President Ed Thompson offered the Local’s truck and drivers to make the delivery. Two Local 776 members, both road drivers and Union Stewards from ABF Freight, Chalmer Edgin and Garry Teter Jr., jumped at the chance to deliver the much-needed water and were soon on the way, dropping the water off at the headquarters of Local 178 Operating Engineers Dallas/Ft. Worth. Once again the Local’s motto “People Helping People” is put to the test and we delivered. Thanks to Chalmer  and Garry for getting the job done when it was urgently needed.

Local 776 Stewards Garry Teter Jr. (L) and Chalmer Edgin made the trip to Texas with the urgently needed water.

Once Garry and Chalmer arrived at their destination the Operating Engineers had the equipment to quickly unload the water.

Local 776 driver Chalmer Edgin (L), Nick Webb, and Mack Bennett, both with Local 178 Operating Engineers Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Last week, the House voted YES to pass the American Rescue Plan bill with a solution to save our pensions! This wouldn’t have been possible without the voices of workers, including thousands of Teamsters who sent letters and made calls to their representatives before the vote.

For years, we’ve fought for a solution to the looming pension crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has put the retirement of Teamsters in vulnerable mutliemployer pension plans in real peril. Thanks to the continued efforts by Teamster members, retirees and our families, a solution is within reach. Now, we need to push just a little bit more. We need the Senate to act so we can secure pensions and deliver relief to working people.

Contact your Senator to demand they pass the American Rescue Plan that includes a solution for endangered pensions.

We worked hard in 2020 to elect pro-worker champions who would fight to make this happen. On late Saturday night, the House advanced this relief package and our pension solution. Sadly, not a single Republican voted to deliver relief or secure our pensions.

The Senate is scheduled to vote in the coming days, and President Biden has pledged to sign the bill. Next week, a pension solution could be delivered to Teamsters and their families across the country who worked hard to earn the right to retire with dignity.

We’re so close to the finish line, but we can’t let up just yet. Keep up the good work and ask that your Senator votes YES on the American Rescue Plan and our pensions solution.

We negotiated for and earned our pensions. Together, we can make sure the Senate passes the American Rescue Plan that delivers real relief for all Americans and protects our pensions.

Take two minutes and send a message to your Senator and help us deliver on the promise to Build Back Stronger.

In solidarity,

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters

The 30^th International Convention of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters will convene on June 22, 2021. Full details can be found below:

Delegate to the IBT Convention:                    Alternate Delegate to the IBT Convention:

Ron Hicks              Bill Olmeda                        Dave Pogue

Dave Wolf              John Taylor                        Patrick Hollingshead

Spencer Dearth      Dave Vrona                       Dipan Patel

George Goodling    Shane Weaver                  Rob Smiley