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.

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.

Our Country may have been down, many countries 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.

Please take a moment today to pause and remember those who perished on 9/11. Remember our first responders who face danger daily, 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.

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson,

President, Teamsters Local 776

In a year like no other Labor Day 2020 will be like no other holiday celebrated this year. Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894.

Labor Day is normally celebrated in cities and towns across the United States with parades, picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays and other public gatherings. With nothing being “normal” this year our “new normal” dictates differently this Labor Day.

Let’s not lose sight of the fact that workers are working under more stress, more duress trying to provide for themselves and their families with the threat of COVID-19 hanging over them. With this in mind we should each take a moment to reflect and on what we have achieved living and working in our great country.

Especially this Labor Day every laborer deserves a reward. Relax at your home, do something fun. Be motivated, stay determined and keep the fire burning within you.

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson

President, Teamsters Local 776

This is starting to sound like a broken record; the same thing over and over. UPS Business Agent Dave Licht again has been busy with grievances pertaining to 9.5 hour violations. On Tuesday and Wednesday he met with UPS on 9.5 hour grievances from the East and West Shore Centers in Harrisburg. For what ever reason, UPS just can’t get their drivers’ dispatches under control, especially for the drivers who have opted in for the 9.5 daily hour’s protection. This time, in addition to 9.5 hour grievances Dave had several grievances for 8-hour day violations to discuss with the company. At the end of the two day’s meetings Dave had obtained an additional $55,536.00 dollars paid to the grievants. Earlier Dave had secured over $110,000.00 in penalty pay for the same violations. Although we cannot prevent UPS from violating the agreement we will vigorously defend our members’ rights when a violation does occur.

Local 776 UPS Package Car Drivers: Dave has been working tirelessly on your behalf on this important issue. The contract provides you a mechanism for relief of overtime if you desire it. If you feel your contractual rights are being violated by the company Dave has created a document to guide you through the process of successfully filing 9.5 grievances, which is available from your Union Steward. The process is also available for review on the Local Union’s website by navigating to the Member Resources/UPS Information/ Package Car Driver 9.5 Guidelines page.

UPS BA Dave Licht has been quite busy lately and he has the files to prove it!

Some of Local 776’s best golfers took to the course at Eagles Crossing Golf Course on Sunday August 2^nd for the Annual Local 776 Golf Tournament. Members were out to enjoy a day of friendship; food, prizes, and good-natured head to head competition. Bragging rights were on the line as the fearsome foursomes made their way around the course. When the last putt dropped and the scores were tallied up the members were treated to a steak dinner. In addition to door prizes awards were issued in the following categories:

Championship Flight 1^st Place:

Steve May, Ted Koncsol, Seane Krinock, Brian Horner

Championship Flight 2^nd Place:

Dave Gibson, Justin Myers, Cody Gummel, Vince Ginter

Championship Flight 3^rd Place:

Ron Irvin, Justin Schaeffer, Ernie Schoonover, Josh Eberly

1^st Flight 1^st Place:

Tim Osborne, Mike Kennedy, Jo Ro, Denny Wilson

1^st Flight 2nd Place:

Chuck Thomas, Rob Hetrick, Shawn Lephart, Marty Kocher

1^st Flight 3^rd Place:

Bernard Wanyo, Steven Longenecker, Brian Bogovic, Dave Colley

2^nd Flight 1st Place:

Dean Lipscomb, Dave Lau, Mike McCandless, Giz Garcia

No Photo Available

2^nd Flight 2nd Place:

Richard Clemens, Ralph DeSanto, Doug Kauffman, Jackie Rice

2^nd Flight 3^rd Place:

Kevin Smith, Ron Robinson, John Hubbs, Keith Nilson

Closest to the pin #3 John Hubbs

Closest to the pin #7 Tom Bauer

Closest to the pin #13 Ted Koncsol

Closest to the pin #16 Al Swipe

Longest Drive #18 Men's tees Eric Neville

Longest Drive #18 Senior tees Denny Wilson

Longest Drive #18 Ladies tees Hillary Caldwell 

As is the custom at Local 776 events a 50/50 drawing was held in support of the Local’s Scholarship Fund.  Members had opportunities throughout the day to try their luck by purchasing tickets before the drawing. This year’s 50/50 Winner was Lawrence Dynarsky.

Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks (R) hand over the money to Lawrence!

If you missed the tournament this year we’ll be doing it again next year; keep working on your swing, get your group lined up, and come on out and play!

To view additional photos from the tournament please visit the "Photo Gallery"

The August Membership Meeting will be held on August 9, 2020. Full details can be found below:

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 2, 2020. 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:

While meeting at the Union Hall on July 11^th to review grievances and subcontracting reports pertaining to UPSF BA Spencer Dearth, Steward Kevin Weagle, and Steward/Local 776 Trustee Dipan Patel noticed there was a large amount of trash and leftover fireworks materials in and around the area surrounding the Union Hall. Always trying to be good neighbors, the Local prides itself on how it maintains its buildings and grounds in the neighborhood. After the trio donned gloves and retrieved a rake from the Union’s shed, a clean-up ensued resulting in several bags of trash being picked up around the Hall, neighboring streets and from the field across the street from the Hall. Great job guys, thanks for taking time from your weekend to keep the grounds neat and presentable!

Teamster Pride: Being good Neighbors!

(L-R) Dipan Patel, Kevin Weagle, Spencer Dearth

How I spent my Saturday!

The Local 776 Membership Meeting will be held Sunday July 12, 2020 at the Harrisburg Union Hall commencing AT 10:00 AM. There will be limited seating capacity open to Members and Retirees only and will be on a first arrived first seated basis. The Union Hall doors will open at 9:30 AM. Face coverings are mandatory for all those attending and once inside you must remain seated for the duration of the meeting.

This Fourth of July promises to be different than previous years; many people may not feel like celebrating America’s Birthday. Don’t lose perspective on how great our country is. 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!

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson, President Teamsters Local 776

A $700 million loan provided by the United States Treasury under the CARES Act will help YRC Worldwide, Inc.’s operating companies pay its employees’ health care and other benefits and get through this pandemic while protecting the livelihoods of about 24,000 Teamsters and their families, Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa said today.

“I want to thank Congress for passing the CARES Act, and the President and the Treasury Secretary for their help in making this essential bridge loan possible,” Hoffa said. “They recognized the urgency and acted swiftly to avoid our members’ health benefits from being cut and, in the long term, to protect 24,000 Teamster jobs at YRC Freight, Holland, Reddaway and New Penn.”

The CARES Act assistance will be used to pay for employee health care and pension costs and other obligations. YRCW employs 30,000 freight workers, including 24,000 Teamsters.

“I echo General President Hoffa in thanking the government for providing this loan and protecting our members’ livelihoods” said Ernie Soehl, Teamsters National Freight Director. “Like so many Teamsters who are essential workers, our members working at the YRCW operating companies have continued to keep our nation’s supply chain moving to serve millions of Americans,” Soehl added. “They are true heroes. This assistance gives them some peace of mind moving forward and we hope it gives YRCW the economic stability it needs in the months and years to come.”

For further details follow the link below to be directed to the YRC press release concerning the CARES act loan.

YRC CARES act