2023 will be a busy year at Local 776; along with the approximately 20 “white paper” contracts the Local Union will negotiate, three national contracts will be negotiated. With regard to the UPS contract, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien pledged to win a contract that will “reset the standards for wages and benefits in this industry by August 1, 2023. We’ll either have a signed agreement that day or be hitting the pavement.” With that in mind a Strike Preparation and Picket Line Training Seminar was held at the Harrisburg Union Hall for Stewards and members employed at ABF, TForce Freight, and UPS on Saturday, October 8, 2022.

The purpose of the training seminar was to discuss and prepare the members in the event a strike or work stoppage is called and to ease the stress on our members and their families.

Business Agent Mark Cicak spoke on different types of strikes and ways members can prepare themselves and their families. Trustee Patrick Hollingshead spoke on signs a strike may be called. Business Agent Spencer Dearth spoke on what to expect after the strike has been called, preparations that must be made, and conduct on a picket line.

In the end, after all the questions were answered, the well-attended seminar gave the members some insight into preparing for a strike and what to expect after a strike is called. The Union also gained a group of members that can be called on to assist if needed.

A strike or work stoppage is only called after every opportunity to ratify a successor agreement is exhausted.

Members' attention is focused on the podium....

As BA Mark Cicak, BA Spencer Dearth, and Trustee Patrick Hollingshead conduct the seminar.