Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a rash of package car drivers in the UPS Harrisburg East and West Shore Centers who have been forced to work more than 9.5 hours per day despite their putting the company on notice that they desire to be relived of excessive overtime. Beginning in late March until the present there have been numerous grievances filed by drivers being forced to work over 9.5 hours per day. The language is clear in the contract: if a driver is worked more than 9.5 hours per day after putting the company on notice he doesn’t want the overtime there are monetary penalties imposed on the company for the violation. On May 15, 2020 Local 776 UPS Business Agent Dave Licht met with the company on the grievances. When the dust settled from that meeting Dave had successfully settled the grievances: approximately $30,000 will be paid to the grievants in the form of penalty pay and if the violations by the company continue so will the grievances from the affected members. Dave has put the company on notice: Pandemic or not, the contract prevails and the members’ rights will be upheld. The current situation doesn’t give the company the right to violate the agreement they are party to.

Local 776 UPS Package Car Drivers: 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 on the "Member Resources" page or by following the link below:

Package Car Driver 9.5 Guidelines

Update from Teamsters National Freight Division Director Ernie Soehl:

I want to acknowledge and thank all the business agents and shop stewards out there helping our freight members get through this pandemic and of course all our freight members who are showing great courage during these unprecedented times.

The freight industry is very much needed and essential during the pandemic, and I’m proud of all the work our freight members do, day after day, under extremely difficult conditions.

Our freight members are the lifeline of America. You are exposed to risks every day. You are true heroes.

As for the specific companies in the Freight Division, I am in contact with the highest levels of management on a constant basis. I request and receive all sorts of data on volumes and revenues as well as safety and COVID-19 updates. We have attorneys, economists and staff working constantly.   

Volumes are down at our Teamster-represented freight companies and there are layoffs, but I want to assure you that we are working hard to address these issues and doing everything we can to make sure the interests of our members are protected. 

We will leave no stone unturned in our constant efforts to protect the livelihoods of our freight Teamsters. As these efforts continue in the coming days and weeks, please watch for additional updates.

On another matter, the Teamsters Union is denouncing new hours-of-service rules that were released on Thursday, May 14. See the union’s statement here.

Again, thank you to all of our National Freight Division members. Please continue to be safe and look out for each other.

Recently Local 776 lost a member whose commitment to the Local Union went above and beyond Stewardship. Allen Proper was a Local 776 Union Steward with Dauphin County Adult Probation Services. Allen was extremely well liked and well respected by all his Brothers and Sisters at Adult Probation and as a Steward was a champion to all he served. Allen worked tirelessly to represent his Brothers and Sisters; he will be sorely missed by all, especially those that served as Stewards along side him.

Additional information can be found by following the links below:

Dauphin County Probation Officer

Police Escort

Allen Proper Obituary

May He Rest In Peace....

Please see below for important information concerning available PPE:

For the first time Pennsylvanians will be able to vote by mail without an excuse. The June 2^nd  primary election is almost here. Learn how to request a ballot and make sure your voice is heard.

For additional information on voting in the June 2^nd primary election follow the link below:

https://www.votespa.com/Pages/default.aspx

Recently Local 776 teamed with the Red Cross and hosted a blood drive at the Union Hall. Due to the pandemic there is an urgent need for blood; the Red Cross is working overtime to meet the demand. The call went out to the membership, and they responded, so much so that the Red Cross’s goal was surpassed! Our efforts have helped boost the community blood supply and ensure hospital patients have the lifesaving blood they need. The amount of blood collected helped save up to 93 lives!

“People Helping People, this is a perfect example of why those words are on our truck for all to see, commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson. Members were coming to the Hall either before or after work; they stepped up in support of their Local Union, their Brothers and Sisters, and their Community. I would like to thank all who donated blood for this worthwhile cause.”

The Red Cross quickly turned the Union Hall into a blood collection site...

...and began the process of helping save lives.

An overwhelming response by the Membership kept the Red Cross workers busy through the day!

Recently Local 776 mailed the latest issue of the "Local 776 Review Spring 2020" Newsletter to the membership. With everyone being around the house maybe yours got mis-placed?, or lost in the mail? If so it's available to download and view in the "Downloads" section under "Member Resources" on the website's Home Page.

Recently Local 776 Business Agent Dave Wolf was contacted by our Teamsters Local 776 Stewards from Dauphin County Probation Services with concerns about the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) available to them during working hours. The Stewards questioned Dauphin County Court Administration on whether the PPE would be made available to all employees of Probation Services as this COVID-19 Pandemic continues. They were advised PPE would not be provided, however, if the employees feel more comfortable coming to work and wearing a mask they may wear their own mask. When questioned on why Dauphin County was not following the order issued by Secretary of Health Levine, the Stewards were advised the order does not apply to government entities, including the Courts. After checking with other Courthouse Stewards it was found that the Sheriff’s Department is covered with all the PPE they need, but the other members working in the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, District Attorney’s Office, etc, have not been provided with any PPE by the County,  

Local 776 President Ed Thompson researched the dilemma and found disposable face masks for our Members working in Dauphin County. The Local also supplied hand sanitizer and gloves to help keep the Members safe.

  President Thompson commented: “We service ninety (90) contracts at Teamsters Local 776 and most of our employers have abided by the order issued by the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health concerning supplying employees with the proper PPE. Dauphin County chose not to and put our members and their families at risk of contracting the virus.  Dauphin County’s actions show the lack of concern for County bargaining unit employees during this Pandemic crisis. Any member who feels their employer is not following the established CDC guidelines for dealing with the Pandemic should immediately contact their Business Agent”

Dauphin County Probation Services Steward Bruce Cutter collects Hand Sanitizer and face masks from Local 776 BA Dave Wolf (L), and Local 776 President Ed Thompson (R).

Dauphin County Courthouse Stewards Nichole Cahill and Donna Coder receiving PPE from Local 776 to distribute to the Members.

This Workers Memorial Day, April 28, we remember those who sacrificed their lives doing the job they loved. Workers Memorial Day brings us together to remember the ultimate sacrifices working people make to achieve the American dream. Every single one of the working people who die every day from injury or occupational disease is a constant reminder of the dangers we face at the workplace. Workers' Memorial Day is an opportunity to highlight the preventable nature of most workplace incidents and ill health and to promote campaigns and Union organization in the fight for improvements in workplace safety.           

Although area gatherings in recognition of Workers Memorial Day have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic please take a moment to remember those who have lost their lives due to job related accidents and illnesses.

"Remember the dead – Fight for the living"

Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic there is an urgent need for blood. Local 776 has partnered with the American Red Cross and will host a blood drive to assist in this critical time of need. Full details can be found below:

Time and Time Again Local 776 Steps Up: