UPS Teamsters Rally at Shareholder Meeting to Support Lobbying Accountability Proposal

On May 4, 2017 UPS employees and Teamster Union leaders gathered outside the package giant’s annual shareholder meeting to demand lobbying disclosures and accountability at the company. A proposal co-sponsored by the Teamsters was presented in the meeting calling for transparent reporting of the company’s lobbying activity, which includes contributions to groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.Local 776 was represented at the rally by:Business Agent  Dave Wolf, Vice President  Dave Pogue Trustees  Rob Smiley and Patrick Hollingshead, Union Steward - Andy Barnes, and Organizer Mark Cicak.

Teamsters gather in Wilmington, DE

Form more information on the Shareholder rally follow the link below:

UPS Shareholder Meeting

On May 4th, 2017 Local 776 Business Agents Spencer Dearth, George Goodling, and John Taylor, along with the Local’s tractor-trailer joined Teamster members and Union allies to protest Shore Point Distribution’s lockout of its workers. Local 701 in Brunswick, New Jersey began negotiations for a new contract with Shore Point Distributors of Freehold, NJ. in February 2017. On April 30th, Shore Point Distributors locked out 113 Teamster members in an attempt to force them to accept a pay freeze and reduced healthcare and pension benefits. Local businesses in the community are standing in Unity with the locked out Teamsters; refusing to sell products supplied by Shore Point Distributors. For Local news coverage of the dispute follow the link below:

http://newjersey.news12.com/news/jersey-shore-bars-stand-in-unity-with-locked-out-beer-distributor-drivers-1.13563010

For updates on the story of these locked out Teamsters follow the link below:

Local 701 Locked out Teamsters

Locked out Local 701 Teamster Members stand strong!

This local establishment is supporting the locked out Teamsters!

Take me out to the ball game!

Local 776 is holding it’s family picnic on June 11, 2017. Join the Teamsters and the Harrisburg Senators for a day of fun in the sun on Harrisburg’s City Island. Food, drinks, ice cream, and plenty of Cotton Candy are some of the menu items. What’s a picnic without plenty of Cotton Candy! DJ Logan Woodford will be spinning tunes. To download view and print the flier detailing all of the day’s activities follow the link below:

Local 776 Family Picnic

Don’t forget; you must call the Local Union Hall to pre-register for the picnic by Friday June 2nd. An accurate head count is needed to prepare enough food and how many tickets will be needed.

Mark your calendar for June 11^th and come on out for a day of fun, food, and baseball!

Play Ball!!!

Local 776 held their annual DRIVE banquet on April 1, 2017. DRIVE members and their guests were treated to dinner and entertainment for their support of DRIVE.

In his opening remarks Local President Ed Thompson thanked the DRIVE members for their continued support. “You are leading the fight for working families throughout the country. Local politics play an important role in our member’s lives, your contributions to DRIVE enable the Local Union to make workers rights and working conditions goals of the politicians we support. Thank you and enjoy your evening!”

After dinner their were short presentations made by our guests: IBT DRIVE Coordinator Jeannette Barnes, Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Lori Serratelli, Local 776 attorney Irwin Aronson, and radio talk show host Rick Smith. The evening concluded with entertainment by “Red Halo” More information concerning DRIVE can be found under the “Member Resources” page of the website.

IBT DRIVE Coordinator Jeannette Barnes stresses the importance of DRIVE

L-R: Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks, Attorney Irwin Aronson, Judge Lori Serratelli, Local 776 President Ed Thompson

L-R: Local 776 President Ed Thompson, Radio Talk Show host Rick Smith. Rick's broadcasts on labor news can be found on the home page of this website.

A large crowd was on hand for the night's program

Annually, approximately Mid-March, the NMFA Freight Barns of Local 776 hold the annual bid; this is the process where employees choose their classification, start times, days off, and vacation for the year. All the selections are awarded in seniority order, under the watchful eye of the Local 776 Union Stewards. This year ABF, YRC and New Penn all bid on the same day which presented some logistical challenges for the Local, as usual the Local 776 staff rose to the occasion and the Bids went off without a hitch. All Business Agents were on hand throughout the day to resolve any issues that may arise.

President Thompson commented, “This is an ideal time to see our members and listen to any concerns they may have, it also allows other Agents the opportunity to observe the bidding process; which may lead to improvements in the job selection process at other facilities we represent.”

776 YRC Stewards keeping an eye on things

Union Information was available to the members

A lot of jobs, a lot of paper work!

Hot dogs and sausages were available while the members waited to make their selections

“Not the best day for a parade, it was cold and damp, but that didn’t stop the Local 776 members and their families who came out to support the Local in the Harrisburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson. “I’d like to thank everyone who gave their Saturday to participate in this annual community event”. The Parade was held on Saturday March 18, 2017, winding around the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg. Earlier in the week the area was hit with a snowstorm but volunteers worked throughout the week to make sure the route through the city was clear for the marchers.

Teamster Blue was traded for Irish green for the day!

Two of the Local's Finest!

Teamster Proud!

Winding through downtown Harrisburg

Service for Daniel Virtue

A memorial service for Dan will be held at Fort Indiantown Gap on Tuesday, March 21st at 2:00 PM. Local 776 will be providing bus transportation to the service. Anyone wishing to travel with the group is asked to be at the Union Hall in Harrisburg by 12:30 PM. The Union Hall is located at:

Teamsters Local 776

2552 Jefferson Street

Harrisburg, PA 17110

For directions to the Union Hall follow the link below, insert your starting address and you’re on your way to the Union Hall.

Teamsters Local 776

Local 776 is saddened to announce the passing of Past President Daniel A. Virtue.  Daniel, age 67, passed away on Monday, March 13th at his Marysville home.  He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 9, 1949 to Allan and Rita Virtue.  The Virtue family moved to the Boston area in 1959.  Mr. Virtue proudly served his country as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Purple Heart.  He became a member of Teamster Local 776 in 1978; forging a legacy of protecting the rights of his fellow workers by serving as a Business Agent and President. 
He is survived by his father, Allan B. Virtue of Walpole, MA; his sister, Mary Faith Goddard of Woburn, MA; and his brothers, T. Allen Virtue of San Diego, CA and James F. Virtue also of Walpole, MA; and his two constant companions, Rita Mae and Caution.  He is predeceased by his mother, Rita (McNeil) Virtue and sister, Bernadette Virtue.  He will be remembered by his six children:  Michelle, Jennifer, Daniel, Laura, Andrew and Anthony; as well as his 14 grandchildren.  A memorial service will be held at the Fort Indiantown Gap on Tuesday, March 21st at 2:00 PM.  In deference to his military service, this will be Daniel’s final resting place.  In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675.

Daniel A. Virtue

May 19,1949 - March 13,2017

Rest In Peace Brother,

On Saturday, March 11, 2017 Local 776 held a Workers Compensation Seminar for the Local's Stewards. Mike Dryden, an attorney with the Law Firm of Willig, Williams & Davidson, was the featured speaker. Mike   covered the aspects of what is a workers compensation claim, the time frame for giving notice, filing a claim, and what to do if your claim is delayed or denied. It was a very informative seminar for our stewards;  each one can take this knowledge back to the work place to help the members.

Attorney Mike Dryden covers the various aspects of a workers compensation claim to the Stewards.

On Friday, February 24, 2017 Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. came to the Harrisburg Union Hall to meet and talk with the Officers and Business Agents of the Local. Senator Casey wanted to hear and discuss the concerns of working people and what better place to go  than Pennsylvania’s largest Teamster Local.  The meeting was a round-table discussion concerning issues affecting Pennsylvania’s working men and women. Senator Casey talked about the recent right to work legislation proposed in the U.S. Senate, Uber and it’s effects on the transportation industry, and economic policies to help the working middle class. Concerning the recent RTW legislation proposed in the Senate Casey emphasized that he is prepared to fight any RTW legislation and any other legislation that would hurt the middle class. As the Local recently advised the members Senator Casey also suggested that we encourage our members to contact their local and state politicians and urge them to vote “NO” on any right to work legislation.

Senator Casey has everyone's attention during the meeting

L-R: Local 776 Pres. Ed Thompson, PA. Senator Bob Casey, Jr.,

PA. Conference of Teamsters Secretary Tom Felice

L-R: Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks, Senator Bob Casey, Jr.