For more information about this important legislation please follow the link below:

Protect Our Pensions

Recently Local 776 UPS Business Agent Dave Licht was appointed by the IBT to the Teamsters/UPS National Grievance Committee. The NGC meets three times a year to render decisions on disputes pertaining to the National Master portion of the Teamsters/UPS agreement. Decisions reached by the committee affect all Teamster members working under the National Agreement.

Along with his position on the NGC Dave was also appointed to the Article 43 Premium Services Committee. This committee consists of four Teamster representatives and four UPS representatives. The committee meets at least four times per year to address issues pertaining to Article 43 of the Master Agreement. Article 43 deals with the introductions of new services by UPS where the ground movement of packages cannot be handled by the existing feeder network necessitating ground movement by a premium services driver (mileage layover) or by sleeper teams. In addition the committee also hears and renders decisions on subcontracting issues that could not be resolved at a lower level grievance committee.

As the Local’s UPS BA with over 300 Feeder Drivers located at the Harrisburg Hub Dave has a  vast amount of knowledge and experience that he brings to the Article 43 committee. Additionally Dave will be involved with the workings of the NGC on other issues that will have an impact on Local 776 UPS members. Dave is looking forward to working with Teamster Leaders from across the country as he moves into these added responsibilities.

Congratulations on your appointments Dave, It is because of your dedication and hard work that the Local is now represented on these two important committees.

YRC negotiations continue on national items; some supplements commence bargaining. Full details can be found below:

The Labor Wire

Last year marked the biggest surge in collective action in decades. One month into 2019, working people already are carrying that momentum forward—and preparing to lead an even stronger movement for justice on the job.

A Month of Collective Action

From Washington to communities across the country, working people this month mobilized to end a pointless, 35-day government shutdown. By marching and rallying together, we proved to be a force that even the White House couldn’t ignore.

Meanwhile, more than 30,000 teachers in Los Angeles won a historic strike to secure better pay, smaller class sizes and more school funding. Now, our brothers and sisters in Colorado, Virginia and West Virginia are waging their own fight in defense of our public schools.

Not to be outdone, SAG-AFTRA members have joined together in a union-wide strike against BBH, a global advertising agency attempting to illegally walk away from a mutually agreed upon contract.

Whether we’re facing off against a billionaire school superintendent, a greedy ad executive or the president of the United States, working people have the power to win a better life for ourselves. When we stand together through collective action, the future is ours to build.

Recently Local 776 President Ed Thompson had the pleasure of touring the UPS Hub in Harrisburg with State Senator Bob Casey, Jr. UPS Labor Relations Manager Darren Prey had invited Senator Casey to UPS so he could meet and talk with the drivers before they began their deliveries and asked Ed to be present. Darren gave Senator Casey and Ed a tour of the facility where the delivery vehicles were being loaded prior to the drivers starting their day. Senator Casey talked about the then government shut down in Washington and the effect it was having nationwide, the importance of Unions, and organizing. Afterwards Senator Casey and Ed attended the driver’s morning safety meeting for the East and West Shore Centers before the drivers left to start their deliveries.

UPS Labor Relations Manager Darren Prey (Center) explains the miles of conveyor belts, chutes, and slides used to move packages throughout the Harrisburg Hub prior to being loaded for delivery to Senator Casey (Left) and Local 776 prsident Ed Thompson (Right)

Senator Casey has the attention of Darren and Ed as he explains issues in Washington

Senator Casey listens as a driver explains his delivery device that contains all of his day's deliveries.

Senator Casey makes a point while discussing issues with the drivers

Its tax time and like everyone else you are wading through W2 forms, 1099 forms, 1040 forms, and a host of others. If you are submitting unreimbursed expenses incurred on the job note that the PA Dept of Revenue doesn’t follow the same criteria as used for your federal tax return, so the same item could be handled differently on your state tax return. Additional information can be found on two PA Dept. of Revenue web pages. Follow the links below to be directed to the PA Dept. of Revenue web pages. These links have also been added to the “Important Links” section found on the homepage of the Local 776 website.

PA Dept of Revenue general guidelines

PA Dept of Revenue unreimbursed expenses

It has been a cold winter and members have been purchasing Local 776 “Beanie Caps” to help keep warm. Supplies were running low but a new shipment just arrived. The Beanie Caps are available at both the Harrisburg and York Union Halls for $8.00 and can be purchased during normal office hours. Don’t let the last few days fool you; there is still plenty of cold weather remaining this winter. Keep warm and show your Teamster Pride by wearing one of these caps. When picking up your cap be sure to check out the other Teamster items for sale to show your Teamster Pride; T-shirts, baseball caps, sweatshirts, and jackets are all available!

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), AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and choking emergencies. Full details can be found below:

The Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee (TNFINC) and YRC Freight, New Penn and Holland met this week for another round of bargaining for a new national agreement. Details can be found below:

You may have seen the Zembo Shrine Circus mentioned in "What's Ahead" in the Local 776 Newsletter. The arrangements have been made, the Local Union has the tickets, full details can be found below. Don't hesitate the tickets are first come first serve and go quickly!