On Saturday, August 20, 2022, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was in Philadelphia to support trade unions. The former presidential candidate spoke to a crowd at Independence Mall. Sanders was joined by Teamsters President Sean O'Brien and Association of Flight Attendants President Sara Nelson. Local 776 Officers, Business Agents, and Members were on hand to support the Labor Movement.

 The rally was entitled "The Working Class-Fighting Back Against Corporate Greed." Senator Sanders was there to encourage union solidarity and inspire political action. "If we're going to save the middle class of this county, we're going to grow the trade union movement," Sanders said. "Workers are going to have a voice on the job. They're going to have a voice in Washington and in their state capitals all over this country." 

Sean O'Brien, General President of the Teamsters, stirred the crowd into a frenzy when he spoke on corporate greed while calling out Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and "Colonel" Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks. O’Brien’s message to the attending Union members was “we are ready to take on corporate America and will hold politicians accountable.”

Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants gave an inspirational speech that included how far the working conditions of flight attendants have come through negotiated strong labor agreements.

Senator Sanders said his mission is to bring “workers together, regardless of their political affiliation.” “When you look at the issues facing working people,” Sanders said, “it doesn’t matter whether you’re a Democrat or Republican or an independent. Can you afford health care? ‘No, I can’t.”

Senator Sanders, sporting a Teamsters cap, addresses the Union Activists

A good crowd was on hand supporting worker's rights to organize

Local 776 was represented by: (L-R) Member Teresa Antal, BA John Taylor, Organizer Ashley Cerzullo (kneeling), BA Dave Vrona, IBT General President Sean O'Brien, Trustee Patrick Hollingshead, BA Spencer Dearth, Trustee Rob Smiley, Members Richard Moore, Justin Seitz, Chris Brassington, and Joe Pironti