MORE: Union sets strike that would halt Dayton RTA service next month
Salyer, 62, of Huber Heights, was arrested Aug. 11 by Dayton police at RTA’s Wright Stop Plaza after a dispute with bus security about the bus authority’s property line and whether he could distribute literature where he stood. A misdemeanor charge is pending in Dayton Municipal Court.
Salyer said his attorney intends to file a motion to dismiss tomorrow.
Thousands of bus riders face being stranded beginning Jan. 9 if Salyer and CEO Mark Donaghy cannot reach a contract agreement for the bus drivers and mechanics. Records obtained from the bus authority suggest talks, if any, would need to take place off RTA property or with security personnel due to the trespass order.
Local 1385 filed an unfair labor practice charge with state officials over the Salyer incident, which was dismissed.
“RTA was well within its rights to cite Mr. Salyer for his conduct pursuant to the (RTA facilities code of conduct) policy and to call the Dayton Police Department because of Mr. Salyer’s refusal to leave the premises,” the State Employment Relations Board found.
Salyer is on leave of absence from RTA while acting as the union president, Donaghy said.
MORE: Greater Dayton RTA offers union new contract proposal
Salyer disclosed the arrest after the Dayton Daily News and WHIO asked why, without explanation, the union president emailed reporters a copy of a public records request he made with the RTA for his own disciplinary file. He said the records request, which appeared alongside two pages of the strike notice and several pages of the union’s former contract, was inadvertently scanned and emailed.
Reporters then asked Salyer why he requested a copy of the 142-page discipline file. He then disclosed the arrest, stating he gave the disciplinary file to his attorney for reference as part of the criminal trespass case.
This newsroom is working to learn more about this incident and its impact on negotiations.
About the Author