During the summer Local 776 conducted a DRIVE registration program. With the help of a DRIVE coordinator from the IBT Officers and Business Agents were out visiting the members at twenty-six different employer locations. As a result of the visits the Local added 231 new members to DRIVE.

Commented Local President Ed Thompson, “The Local Union’s number of DRIVE members had been declining the last few years. One of our priorities when taking office was to increase the number of members participating in DRIVE. As a result of the commitment by the Officers and Agents this summer we have reversed the trend of declining DRIVE membership. I hope to see all of our newest DRIVE members at the DRIVE Dinner/Dance next year.”

Local 776 is unique in that it has it’s own DRIVE chapter. One half of all the funds contributed to DRIVE remain with the Local. These funds are used to support candidates who support working men and women. Additional information about DRIVE can be found under the Member Resources page. If you missed the opportunity to join DRIVE during the workplace visits please contact the Local Union during normal business hours.

Front row: Local 776 Recording Secretary Dave Wolf, IBT DRIVE Coordinator Jennette Barnes, Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks

Second row: Member Shawn Griffith, Local 776 Vice Pres. Dave Pogue, Local 776 Trustee Rob Smiley, Local 776 Pres. Ed Thompson, Local 776 Business Agent John Taylor

On September 12, 2015 Local 776 hosted another Stewards Training Seminar presented by the IBT. After opening remarks by Local 776 President Ed Thompson Bill Munger, the IBT Eastern Region Training coordinator, was introduced by Ed.

Bill had a full day planned for the Stewards; they began by working on a questionnaire of their roles and responsibilities as stewards. Next, the Stewards were given 10 scenarios and, using a mock contract, determine if contract language had been violated. Lastly, using a case study the Stewards applied their knowledge by role-playing the first step grievance meeting.

Commented President Thompson “ This was the second training session the Local provided for the Stewards this year. The Stewards were enthusiastic, coming to the sessions knowing that what they learn here will help them become better Stewards on the job. Due to the response to this session we are going to schedule another training session as soon as the IBT’s schedule allows.”

Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks, IBT training coordinator Bill Munger, President Ed Thompson

The meeting room starts to fill up..

Bill's got everyone's attention as he starts his program

To view the agenda for the training session follow the link below:

Steward Training Agenda

Local 776 participated in the 26^th Labor Day Parade held in York, PA. The Teamsters have participated in the parade since it’s inception and this year we had quite a group of members participating. In addition to the Local’s Officers, Business Agents, and members walking in the parade members from the following employers drove equipment: ABF Freight Systems, Canteen Vending, Eckert Trucking, New Penn Motor Express, Pleasant Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Teamsters Local 776 Tractor Trailer and support vehicle, UPS from Harrisburg, PA, UPS from York, PA, YRC-Yellow Roadway Corp., and the York city Public Works Highway Dept. After the parade Local President Ed Thompson commented “ First and foremost I would like to thank all of the members who gave time on their day off to help honor American working men and women. Also I’d like to thank the employers who allowed their equipment to be used in the parade”. “Labor is America- a fitting description. It is America’s labor; the men and women who give it their all day after day, supporting their families, forging a better way of life, and helping to build the American dream. That’s what makes this country so great. Our hats are off to you, the American workers because labor and America go hand in hand: Labor is America!”

To view more photos from the parade please visit the photo gallery

Local 776 will again sponsor a Christmas For Kids party for kids in the York County WIC (women, infants, and children) program. Over the years the Local's memebrs and friends have provided over 4000 gifts for the children in the program. If you would like to help brighten the holiday season for these children we need your help. The party will be held on December 5, 2015 in the York Area, but there is much preperation to do before the party. To download a flier containing the details of the party and what you can do please follow the link below.

Christmas For Kids

York Labor Day Parade

"Labor Is America"

The York Labor Day Parade will be held on Monday September 7^th stepping off promptly at 10:00 AM. This is the 26^th year for the York Parade and the Teamsters have always played a large part. Many of our member’s employers who are involved in transportation allow their equipment to be displayed in the parade. Also the Local Union’s truck along with a group of members participates in the parade promoting the Teamsters. This year we are asking our members to show their Teamster Pride, join us in marching in the parade!! We’ll meet at the York Union Hall, all of the Local’s Officers and Business Agents will be there, and then go to the parade staging area together where we will assemble with our members who are driving equipment in the parade. If you would like to attend please plan on being at the York Union Hall by 9:00 AM.

For directions to the York Union Hall follow the link below and insert your starting address in the directions box in the top left corner:

York Union Hall

For more information concerning the Parade including the parade route please follow the link below:

Labor Day Parade Flyer

A bright sunny sky, low humidity, and just enough of a breeze to keep the bugs away, one of the best days of this summer, and it was the day of the Local 776 golf outing! 144 of the Local’s best golfers, hackers, and duffers teed it up for some serious competition and bragging rights. Afterward the players were treated to a steak dinner as the winners were announced.

Local President Ed Thompson remarked, “Usually when we have contact with a member whether for a grievance, a pay shortage, or any violation of their contract they are upset. We’ve had a picnic/baseball game gathering, now a golf outing, it’s good to see our members relaxing, having a good time. I’d like to thank Local 776 VP Dave Pogue and BA Ron Hicks for all their time and hard work that they put into making the golf outing a huge success”.

To view a list of winners in different categories follow the link below:

Golf outing winners

To view more photos from the golf outing please visit the photo gallery

Moving Day

Summer time is always a busy time for moving for professional moving companies as well as the local U-Haul locations. But who do you call when you have approximately 15,000 toys to move? Call the Teamsters! And that’s just what the Marine Corps League based in York, PA did! The league sponsors the Toys For Tots program in the area and had to relocate from a warehouse to a different location across town. Local 776 retiree Dan Eucalano reached out to his nephew; Local 776 Business Agent Bill Olmeda, and got the wheels turning for the Local to supply it’s truck and a driver for the move. Early on Saturday July 25^th the move took place. Members of the Marine Corps League were on hand to organize and load all of the toys.

Commented Local President Ed Thompson; “First I would like to thank our driver Rich Stover for taking time on a Saturday to drive our truck in support of the Toys For Tots program. The Teamsters Union is a service organization, service to our members as well as the communities were we work and live. Second I would like to thank Marine Corps League for their involvement in the community. The Toys For Tots program run by the league provides a valuable service to the community at Christmas Time to those who are less fortunate than most of us. The Local Union is proud to offer our support to them”.

For more information pertaining to the Toys For Tots program follow the link below:

Toys For Tots

A warehouse full of toys...

And more toys..

And our truck to move it all!

Thanks for your help Rich!!

To view more photos of the move please visit the Photo Gallery

Take me out to the ball game!

The weather cooperated, the stadium was full of Teamsters and their families, and there was plenty of food, drinks, and snacks! Sounds like the makings of a great picnic! It was evident from all of the Teamster shirts and baseball caps seen around the stadium that local 776 members were out in force enjoying the picnic. IBT International Vice-President Bill Hamilton was on hand to throw out the first pitch and to the delight of their fans the Harrisburg Senators delivered a win over visiting Altoona. Commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson; “I’m proud to see so many of our members and their families enjoying themselves at the picnic. It’s events like this that bring us together in a show of unity. Brothers and Sisters working in the public sector and the private sector we are one; we are Teamsters!”

Special baseballs for a special day!

The stadium quickly filled up with Teamsters and their families!

Our "house" for the day!

The smiles say it all!

IBT International VP Bill Hamilton throws a strike!

To view more pictures taken by our roving photographer through out the day please visit the Photo Gallery.