The membership of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 627, the union representing Cincinnati Metro bus drivers, unanimously supported a “no confidence” vote in General Manager/CEO Dwight Ferrell.
ATU President Troy Miller released the information Friday in a press release. The union says the vote during the membership meeting was unanimous.
“I have made many attempts to sit down with my union executive board to discuss issue with Dwight Ferrell,” Miller said in the release. “He refuses to answer my emails, return calls, and I have been told by his office I can’t speak to him.”
Miller also said he has attempted to meet with Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority Board chairman Jason Dunn. Miller alleged Dunn has been advised not to meet with the ATU.
Miller said growing the transit system to meet the public’s needs is hard when the GM/CEO refuses to meet with the union.
The transit union said Ferrell had a similar relationship with transit workers in Atlanta, which is where he worked before coming to Cincinnati.
Dunn said is a statement the “no confidence” vote does not affect Ferrell’s employment.
“There are processes and protocols in place that have addressed ATU concerns expediently by appropriate and capable Metro staff,” Dunn wrote. “My concern is that the union’s action distracts from the immediate need to address the region’s transit issues. We are all on the same team and will work to resolve any misunderstandings.”
The union had threatened to take a “no confidence” vote late last year during disagreements over a new labor agreement with SORTA. But the two sides eventually agreed on a new labor contract.
