The International Brotherhood of Teamsters recently announced that 100,000 workers have joined the Union since March 2022, marking one of the most successful organizing periods in modern labor history and underscoring the growing demand for strong Union representation across the U.S. and Canada.

The milestone is the result of an aggressive organizing strategy led by Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman, who made Union growth a top priority and invested heavily in organizing, bargaining, and contract enforcement.

"If anyone is still questioning whether the Teamsters are breaking through, they're not paying attention. We're negotiating record contracts, building powerful bipartisan coalitions, and organizing more than 100,000 new members," O'Brien said. You don't see this kind of growth, energy, or militancy anywhere else in the labor movement. The Teamsters are coming for what our members deserve, so get out of our way!"

The Teamsters' growth has extended far beyond traditional industries. While the Union continues to expand in freight, warehousing, delivery, and logistics, tens of thousands of new members have organized in sectors including health care, public services, cannabis, and Amazon.

With a strong organizing department, Local 776 is actively contributing to Union growth. With the geographic expansion resulting from the merger with the former Teamsters Local 992, we have already achieved a significant organizing victory at Hitachi Rail in Hagerstown, Md.

Commented Local 776 President Spencer Dearth: "The organizing victory at the recently opened Hitachi Rail facility paves the way for an increased Union presence in the area. As the facility grows and adds new workers, so will our Membership grow. Estimates put the workforce expanding to approximately 200 Union positions as production increases at the facility."

It's been a busy couple of months at Local 776. Starting in May with the retirement of Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks, followed by President Ed Thompson's retirement this month, and Joyce Brown's retirement, there has been a lot of movement among personnel.

To keep the Membership current on recent changes, we've updated the website:

The rolling banner photo on the homepage has been updated to reflect the current Officers, Business Agents, and Organizers for Local 776. It was no small feat to get 19 busy people together for a picture!

Not sure who your Business Agent is, or need to get in touch with him? Under Member Resources, the list of Officers and Business Agents was updated with new photos and employer information. Each Agent's listing includes the employer groups he represents and contact information.

With the merger of the former Teamsters Local 992 and the retirement of Joyce, new office staff were added. They were introduced in the latest Newsletter and are included in the updated Office Staff listing under Member Resources.

Keeping the Members informed and up to date with Local 776 helps ensure a strong, united Local Union. As we continue the progress of Local 776, our main goal remains service to the Members.

Robert Joyner retired from Red Lion Boro (York County, PA) on June 1st after spending 36 years serving the people of Red Lion Boro. During his tenure, Robert was a long-term Union Steward, first with the former Local 430 and then with Local 776. During his time on the job, Robert handled every task given to him: garbage and recycling collection, sign installation, removal, and maintenance, mowing the grass, and snow removal, among others.

Presently, Robert's wife, Charlene, is still working, which affords him time to devote to his hobbies, mainly biking, on both a pedal bicycle and a motorcycle. With the nice weather, Robert enjoys getting out on the open road on his motorcycle, and when it's time for some exercise, he'll get on the pedal bike!

Robert has been a member of Mason's Lodge #42 in York since 2015. He started as a Senior Steward and has advanced through six degrees to the position of Worshipful Master, which he held from 2021 through 2023. From 2024 through the present, he is a Past Master. One of the Masons' largest community service projects is the community book bag giveaway, held in August each year before the start of school. In addition to the book bag, school supplies are placed in each bag to help the kids through the school year.

Looking back on his time as a Teamster, Robert commented: "There are many challenges at work, you've got to take the good with the bad, there is a lot of stress on the workers. But no matter what, the Teamsters were there for us." When I retired, I told everyone, "Don't let the Union go; stay united, stay strong!"

From everyone at Local 776, congratulations on your retirement, Robert. May you enjoy retirement for as many years as it took you to earn it!

Local 776 BA Patrick Hollingshead offers congratulations and a retirement watch to  Robert.

O'Brien, Zuckerman Reelected to Second Five-Year Term Leading Teamsters

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced today (June 16, 2026) that Sean M. O'Brien and Fred Zuckerman have been reelected to another five-year term as General President and General Secretary-Treasurer, respectively, renewing a mandate for powerful, militant leadership on behalf of 1.3 million rank-and-file Teamsters across North America.

The O'Brien-Zuckerman Teamsters United slate was elected by white ballot at the union's 31^st International Convention in Las Vegas, following a secret-ballot vote of 1,572 delegates. All voting delegates were democratically elected to the convention by rank-and-file members from more than 330 local unions across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. No opposition candidates received enough votes to meet the Teamsters' constitutionally required threshold to challenge the O'Brien-Zuckerman team.

Additionally, our own Bill Hamilton, President of Philadelphia Local 107, President of both Joint Council 53 and the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters, was elected to another term as Eastern Region Vice-President.

Commented Local 776 President Spencer Dearth: "Congratulations to Sean, Fred, Bill, and the rest of their team on a strong victory. This vote reflects the solidarity and unity that exists within the Teamsters. Local 776 will continue the progress we've made as we move into your next term in office."

Local 776 President Spencer Dearth (L) and Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Mark Cicak (R) congratulate Sean on his convincing re-election victory.