RTA will meet with union Sunday, CEO says

Greater Dayton RTA officials will sit down with the union representing bus drivers on Sunday, a day before a planned strike by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1385.

“We are scheduled to meet with the ATU negotiating team and a state assigned mediator this coming Sunday,” said CEO Mark Donaghy. “Our team was hoping to meet sooner, but as we understand it, Sunday was the earliest the union team is available.”

Related:DPS, Sinclair weigh in on possible Dayton RTA strike

“RTA management was available today, are available tomorrow or anytime between now and the threatened strike. It concerns us that the union seems to lack a sense of urgency when the community is depending on them,” Donaghy said.

Less than an hour earlier, ATU president Glenn Salyer said he did not believe the two parties would sit down. Salyer said he believes the strike will “definitely” happen, but said the state employment board will “do its very best” to make a meeting happen.

Related:Quick answers to 4 major RTA questions

Salyer said the national union’s negotiation team is not in Dayton, noting it would be “two, three days at best to get people here to negotiate.”

Union members will gather tomorrow for updates ahead of the strike, Salyer said.

Earlier:Greater Dayton RTA offers union contract proposal

About the Author