With strike looming, RTA union changes leadership

The union representing Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority drivers and mechanics has voted in a new president as they inch toward a potential strike set for New Year’s Day.

Glenn Salyer, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1385, confirmed Saturday that union members voted for union financial secretary Gerald Duncan to replace him.

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Salyer said this was the outcome of union leadership elections held every three years. He said Duncan will take the post the second Wednesday of January.

“Gerald will continue to be with the current president during contract talks and will be reporting to the members along with myself and (the union recording secretary),” Salyer said Saturday.

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Duncan did not immediately return a call for comment on whether this election will have any impact on the looming strike.

The ATU represents more than 400 employees. Union leadership had said they will be meeting through this weekend on whether to resolve its differences with RTA management or to proceed with a planned strike and picket that could impact transportation -- getting to work, shopping and hospital appointments -- for tens of thousands of area residents, as happened during a four-day strike in January.

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