Recently the Local Union was again contacted by Dauphin County Human Services asking to help move their Holiday donations from their warehouse to the Farm Show Complex for the 9^th Annual holiday Celebration for Needy Families. Wheeling the Local 776 tractor-trailer around Harrisburg Organizer Mark Cicak and Business Agent Spencer Dearth arrived at the warehouse to load the donations and deliver them to the Farm show.

"Our truck says it all: People Helping People" commented Local President Ed Thompson. "Our member's communities are our communities and we will support them.

"People Helping People"

Teamsters Getting it done!

BA Spencer Dearth (front left) along with Dauphin County Human Services moving crew

The Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee (TNFINC) exchanged initial national contract proposals with ABF.

Santa’s workshop was full of gifts during the Local’s Christmas party and none of our “Teamster” kids left empty handed! When the party was over we had toys left over so it was decided to help more kids have a brighter holiday. The Shriners in Harrisburg, The Hershey Children’s Hospital in Hershey, AFSCME Local 2732 to support the Cedar Haven Nurses involved in a bitter strike, and ACCESS York-

the Victim Assistance Center all received toys. Officers and Agents delivered the toys in time for Christmas Distribution.

Commented Local President Ed Thompson “What better way to celebrate the Holiday than by sharing what we had left over with others in need. This is just another way we support the communities where our members work and live,” added Thompson.

Local 776 Business Agent Ed Sutton helped the Shriners make Christmas a little brighter

Business Agents Dave Licht and Dave Vrona visited the Hershey Medical Cemter's Childrens Hospital bearing gifts

Local 776 Organizer Mark Cicak, along with BA's Dave Licht and Dave Vrona made sure the striking Cedar Haven Nurse's kids had a Merry Christmas!

The Local Union received the following letter from Access York in appreciation of the toy donation brought to the shelter by Local 776 Business Agent Tim Turek:

Good Morning Tim,

  It was such a pleasure meeting you this morning.  On behalf of the YWCA York, ACCESS York and the Victim Assistance Center I would like to extend our gratitude for your toy donation this holiday season.  While it can be a stressful time for many of our victims and survivors, it’s the spirit of giving that makes the holiday season so special.  It is because of groups like yours, that we are able to provide families with a holiday season.  Thank you again to the Teamsters Union for your generous donation of toys.  I hope you all have a great holiday season!

Best,

~Joanie

The U.S. Department of Transportation plans on January 1, 2018 to begin testing truck drivers and other “safety-sensitive” transportation employees for the semi-synthetic opioids hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone and oxycodone, the agency announced November 9, 2018

Part 40 Final Rule - DOT Summary of Changes

The Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule in the Federal Register (82 FR52229). The rule, among other items, added four semi-synthetic opioids (i.e., hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone). It also added methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) as an initial test analyte and removed the testing for methylenedioxyethylamphetaime (MDEA).

When is the final rule effective?

The final rule is effective January 1, 2018.

What does this mean for employees?

You will also be tested for four semi-synthetic opioids (i.e., hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone). Some common names for these semi-synthetic opioids include OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®, Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®, Dilaudid®, Exalgo®. In addition, you will no longer be tested for MDEA.

You can view the final rule on the following web site: www.transportation.gov/odapc/frpubs.

At the conclusion of the December monthly membership meeting the members in attendance were treated to a Christmas dinner. Ham, Turkey, and all the extras to go with it were offered. During the dinner members had their pick of items including Teamster apparel, and Poinsettia plants.

“The monthly membership meetings are an important tool for getting information to the members. But they are also important for building brotherhood among the members from the various employer groups we represent. I’m glad to see the members relaxing, enjoying the food, and enjoying each others company” commented President Ed Thompson.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas; and kids! Christmas; and gifts! Christmas; and treats! On Saturday December 9, 2017 the Union Hall became Santa’s Christmas Land as Local 776 held its Christmas Party for members and retirees children and grandchildren. After a stop at Santa’s workshop for a gift next up was a visit with the Big Man himself! Followed by food, drinks, assorted sweet treats and a trip to the face painter! Again this year Local 776 Trustee Rob Smiley and his wife Janet provided fresh baked cookies for the party; transforming their home into a cookie factory where they baked 220 dozen (that’s 2,640!) cookies for all to enjoy!

President Ed Thompson was delighted at the crowd that filled the Hall. “These kids are our future. With our diverse membership it’s conceivable that when these kids join the workforce many of them will become Teamsters and they will remember the time they shared at the Union Hall. With hurried daily life it’s important to be able to have quality time with our families and friends. Our name says it all, the Brotherhood of Teamsters. I would like to thank the Officers, Agents, and Staff for all the time and effort put forth to insure the party was a success!”

Santa's helper!

It's all about the smiles!

Trying so hard NOT to smile!!

Kids of all ages love Christmas!!!

To view more photos from the party please visit the Photo Gallery

On December 2, 2017 Local 776 sponsored a Christmas for Kids party for children in York County’s WIC (women, infants, and children) program. Party committee chairman Rob Smiley, a Local 776 Trustee, and 776 TITAN operator Mandy Day worked together through the year to make sure that over 100 children from some of the areas most needy families had a brighter Christmas. Each child received a gift and a chance to meet with Santa, along with a bag of treats to take home. After meeting with Santa there were snacks and refreshments available for the kids and their families.

Local 776 President Ed Thompson commented, “As a service organization the Local has a responsibility to our members in the workplace as well as a responsibility to the members of our community. Helping these kids have a brighter holiday is one way we give back to the community. I would like to thank the members of the committee who put a lot of time and effort into making this event happen, and also a thank you to Stroehmann/ Maier’s Bakery and Canteen Foods Corp. for their generous contributions that helped filled the goodie bags for the Kids”.

Plenty of gifts and treats were on hand for the kids

The Hall was filled with the sounds of Christmas!

At the Stewards meeting on November 11, 2017 a Diversity Training Program was held.  The seminar was presented by IBT representative Raven Hall. The presentation defined different types of harassment and discrimination. Raven instructed the Stewards how to recognize different types of harassment or discrimination; such as discrimination based upon race, religion, age, or sex whether management or other co-workers perpetrate it.

IBT representative Raven Hall instructs the Stewards

Local 776, along with Brothers and Sisters of Labor from all over Pennsylvania gathered in front of Cedar Haven Healthcare Center in Lebanon, Pa., on Friday, November 17, to show their solidarity with the striking members of AFSCME Local 2732 (Cedar Haven) as they marked four weeks on strike. The nursing home was owned by Lebanon County, until it was purchased by Stone Barn Holdings in 2014. As often happens with privatization, the owner looked to cut costs on the backs of employees, and put profit over people. Despite AFSCME District Council 89 negotiating in good faith on behalf of the employees,. The owners of the nursing home  imposed what they called their last, best and final offer on the employees, which included a drastic increase to the employees’ healthcare costs, as well as cuts to paid time off., forcing employees to ratify a strike. Since the strike began, questions have arisen about the quality of care being provided by the temporary staff inside the nursing home. Many of the nurses are like family to the residents, and vice versa, making the process even more difficult for all involved. In a show of support for the striking workers many of the Cedar Haven residents routinely join their caregivers on the picket line.

For more information and additional photos please follow the link below:

Cedar Haven Healthcare Strike

Before you put together your Thanksgiving dinner shopping list, check our list of union-made in America food and other items that are essential to a traditional family Thanksgiving feast:

Follow the link below for some of the best union-made Thanksgiving eats and cookware from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM); Machinists (IAM); United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW); and United Steelworkers (USW).

Made in USA Union Thanksgiving