On August 26th at approximately 2212 hours the Littlestown Borough Police Department was dispatched to a local business for an unconscious 26-year-old male. Officers Gary Gearhart and James Spielman, both Local 776 Union Stewards, arrived to find the subject laying in the parking lot with bystanders attempting to wake him. Officers Gearhart and Spielman recognized the symptoms of an opioid overdose and administered Narcan and other life saving measures until paramedics arrived. Due to the quick response and recent training in administering Narcan the officers saved this young man's life.

Officers Gary Gearhart, left, and James Spielman

Due a great response to the ticket promotion from Teamsters across the state additional tickets at a discounted price are available for purchase. The original deadline was July 29^th and PSU is still getting members from our local calling asking if they can extend the deadline for them to order. PSU still has tickets left and has agreed to do so. For more information including dates, seating, and pricing follow the link below:

PSU Tickets Extended Offer

On August 16, 2016 Local 776 attended a public hearing on the Mariner East II pipeline project to show support for the pipeline job. The Department of Environmental Protection holds the public hearings where homeowners, environmentalist, workers and others can voice their opinions on the pipeline project. This construction project will create over 30,000 jobs along its route; much of it will be done by Union workers hands. Local 776 President Ed Thompson and Local 776 Organizer Mark Cicak along with Richard Stern  attended the hearings. Richard is an administrator with the Teamsters National Pipeline Labor Management Cooperation Trust. The following 776 construction members also attended to voice their support for the project: Kyle Thomas, Beth Thomas, Jeffrey Reim, Bill Eavenson, Cory Hockenberry, Jeff Jarbeck, Richard Moyer, and Jay Parson.

Local 776 Construction Member Bill Eavenson addresses the hearing

Local 776 Organizer Mark Cicak delivers the Local's written comments supporting the pipeline project

IBT representative Richard Stern; 3rd from left, Local 776 President Ed Thompson; 5th from left, along with Local 776 construction members

During open enrollment in the fall of 2015 the Hershey Medical Center doubled the Smoker and Spousal surcharge costs. Business Agent Dave Vrona immediately filed a grievance stating that the surcharges were over the contractual 16.5% limit. The case deadlocked at the second step of the grievance process. Dave Vrona, with the approval of the Local 776 Executive Board, took the case to arbitration with the help and testimony of Steward Bob Kroster and Attorney Jason Weinstock.

Article 29 of the 2013 2016 agreement states that the cost the employee pays shall not exceed, in any event 16.5% of total cost of the applicable health benefit program thru June 30, 2016. On May 4, 2016 an arbitration hearing was held to hear the case of the Smoker and Spousal charges.

Decision award: On July 5, 2016 the independent arbitrator issued an opinion and award upholding the claims of Local 776 members. He directed Hershey Medical Center to reimburse members whose contributions in 2016, including any surcharges exceeded 16.5%. The total award gave $150,764.98 back to all hard working members at Hershey Medical Center. During calculation of the award it was also found that Hershey Medical Center was over charging for eye and dental in the same time frame which came to overpayment/refund of $9,487.57 for dental and $2,365.58 for vision for a total payout of $162,618.13 to all affected members.

To download, view, and print the complete arbitration decision follow the link below:

HMC Smoker and Spousal Surcharge

Local 776 held their annual golf outing on Sunday August 7, 2016 at Eagles Crossing Golf Course in Carlisle, PA. For the second year in a row the players were greeted by perfect weather for a day of golf. Storms had moved through the area the night before leaving Sunday morning clear and bright with not a cloud in the sky. Along with competing for bragging rights the players had a chance at a prize for longest drive, closest to the pin, a $10,000 payout for a hole in one on the “money hole” or an auxiliary prize for a hole in one on the other designated holes. On hole # 3 Robert Rife, who works for New Penn, had a hole in one, which gave him the prize for closest to the pin on that hole and a Kindle Fire HD for the hole in one. This was the first hole in one recorded during the Teamsters Golf Outing. After a hard round the players were treated to dinner at the clubhouse while the scores were tallied and the prizes distributed.

All lined up waiting for the start...

Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron hicks goes over the dos and don't before giving the start

Local 776 S/T Ron Hicks, Robert Rife, and Local 776 VP Dave Pogue with Roert's hole in one prize

To see more photos from the Golf Outing please visit the Photo Gallery

Recently the Steelton Police Dept. participated in “National night Out” Local 776 Business Agent Eddie Sutton and organizer Mark Cicak attended to support the Police Dept. and meet the community. Eddie and Mark had a table set by the Local’s support vehicle and passed out informational leaflets to the community on who the Teamsters are, what we do, and answer any questions that came their way.

“This is just another way the Local Union gets involved in the communities where our members live and work,” commented Local President Ed Thompson.

Detective Troy Elhajj mans the bounce house

Officer Casey Mcmillan and BA Eddie Sutton man the booth

Officer Dory Thompson explains the workings of her patrol car

Frequently the Local’s truck can be found providing assistance when there is a job to do requiring a truck. From moving supplies in support of disaster relief, transporting school supplies, and moving toys for the Toys for Tots program our truck has done it all. The truck is also present at school career days, rallies supporting working men and women, and various parades and events in our communities.

Recently Ken Kertesz, who is the Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), which is part of the Teamsters Rail Conference, contacted Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks asking if the Local could help them move some train parts from Scranton, Pa to Silva, NC for restoration. The parts are for an old steam engine that is being rebuilt at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton. Once the steam engine is rebuilt it will be displayed at the Steamtown railroad museum located in downtown Scranton.

“The size and strength of Local 776 allows us to have this truck to promote and support the Teamsters and Local 776. We always look forward to helping out our fellow Teamsters from other divisions of the IBT”. Commented Hicks.

On Tuesday, July 19, 2016 the Newville Borough Council held a special meeting to discuss and vote on the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Newville Police department and Teamsters Local 776. The Police Officers attended an earlier off site meeting and unanimously voted to accept the CBA with 100% participation. After an executive session, the Borough voted unanimously to lay off full-time Officer Wyatt Wagner and then voted to adopt the CBA. There were about 10 people in attendance, including Business Agent Eddie Sutton, and Newville Police Steward Jarreau Dodson. Some of the residents attending asked why the council voted to lay off Officer Wagner and the answer they were given was "it's not open for discussion". Sutton immediately thought this is in retaliation for the Officers seeking Union representation. Business Agent Sutton strongly informed the council members his vehement opposition to this poor decision and that they had to deal with the Teamsters Union. First thing the next morning, Sutton went to see President Ed Thompson to explain what had happened and to tell him his plan. President Thompson responded with "do whatever you have to do". That conversation led to letters being sent to the residents of Newville who are Teamsters, every police officer represented by Local 776 and an email blast sent to the entire membership, asking everyone to come out to the next regularly scheduled Council meeting on July 26. The Teamsters responded in full force. Rich Stover drove the Local's tractor-trailer and parked it in front of the meeting hall, along with the organizing truck driven by Shawn Simpson. The membership gathered near the tractor-trailer. Every council member saw the truck and the Teamsters as they entered the building. The meeting hall was filled, this time there were in excess of 100 people many of whom were Teamsters, including Officers and Agents of the Local. The Borough Council had a change of heart and all of them rose to announce they are big supporters of the Newville Police Department. Council member Joey Diehl rose to apologize to Wagner and the Union and then made a motion to reinstate Officer Wagner. The motion passed unanimously. The Borough Council also agreed to give Wagner back pay and an official letter of apology.

Sutton rose to tell the Borough he was happy with their decision to reinstate officer Wagner and to reiterate Officer Wagner wasn't alone in this fight and as evident by the people in the audience he is now part of the International BROTHERHOOD of Teamsters. After the meeting Sutton remarked "there is no way to thank everyone who attended the meeting to support this Brother in his time of need. They are all true Teamsters in my opinion". President Thompson remarked, "This shows the true power the Teamsters have;  there is no way we could have done this without the support and strength of the membership". Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks stated, "Tonight's show of solidarity is why it's called a Brotherhood."

The officers are happy to have Officer Wagner back to work. They are looking forward to putting this behind them so they can concentrate on serving the residents. One thing for sure, if the Council decides they want another fight they will get it.

Teamster Power gathers before the meeting

Filling up the Fire Hall

The council had the crowds attention...

...and the crowd was holding them accountable for their previous action

Local 776 sponsored a retirement seminar for participants of CPAT (Central PA Teamsters) pension fund and their spouses on July 16, 2016. The seminar was open to all participants but was recommended for members who plan to retire in the next 3-5 years. A representative from the Central PA Teamsters Pension Fund and a financial advisor with years of experience working with Central PA Retirees were in attendance.

In his opening remarks to the members Local 776 President Ed Thompson commented, “The Local Union is committed to the well-being of our members both when on the job and when preparing for retirement. There are many variables in taking your CPAT retirement; hopefully this seminar will answer many of your questions as you prepare for your retirement.”

Participation was limited to the first 50 members who signed up; future seminars will be scheduled based on the response received for the initial event.

Local 776 President Ed Thompson welcomes future retirees

Central Pa. Teamsters representative Joanne Vogel addresses the crowd

Joanne had everyone's attention

This fall Teamsters Local 776 members and their families are invited to Beaver Stadium for two separate Organized Labor Appreciation Days with Penn State Football. Union members throughout Pennsylvania are now able to purchase discounted tickets to both the Big Ten home opener vs. Minnesota (October 1st) and Senior Day against Michigan State games (November 26th). Kick off times have yet to be announced for both games.
All tickets will be discounted at least $17 off the public single game price and are available for purchase now, as opposed to the public single game sale in July. Teamsters will also be able to purchase a discounted car parking pass for each game.
Simply click on the image below (or link below the image) and enter the promo code TEAMSTER to begin purchasing your discounted tickets.
For more information, to purchase more than 10 tickets, or a parking pass please contact James Grecco with Penn State Athletics at 814-867-2544 or JEG45@PSU.EDU. For an immediate question/response, please click reply to reach James Grecco.

For more details Including Ticket Prices follow this link:

Teamsters Penn State Football Flier

Penn State Tickets