Detroit transit union president departs

July 29, 2026

Schetrone Collier, who recently retired after serving as president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26, was honored by Detroit City Council with a Spirit of Detroit Award for his advocacy work on behalf of bus drivers. During his tenure as union president starting in 2022, he successfully negotiated significant wage increases that brought Detroit Department of Transportation driver pay in line with neighboring transit systems, addressing long-standing compensation disparities. His leadership helped stabilize DDOT's workforce, which had declined dramatically from 1,200 drivers before the pandemic to just 250, and has since recovered to approximately 650 drivers.

Who is affected

Schetrone Collier (retiring union president)
DDOT bus drivers (current and future employees)
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26 members
Frank Lacey (Collier's replacement as union president)
Detroit residents who rely on public transit
Collier's family (six children)

What action is being taken

The Detroit Department of Transportation is recruiting drivers (described as ongoing effort under former mayor Mike Duggan)
Driver wages are being increased through implemented contracts (the $3 boost and quarterly bonuses approved in early 2024, and the $6 per hour increase from November contract are in effect)
The department is graduating new driver classes (April graduation mentioned as most recent)

Why it matters

This matters because it addresses fundamental issues of pay equity and workforce stability in Detroit's public transit system. The wage increases negotiated by Collier correct long-standing compensation disparities where Detroit drivers earned significantly less than their counterparts at neighboring transit systems despite performing the same work. The stabilization of the DDOT workforce—recovering from a critical low of 250 drivers to 650—directly impacts the quality and reliability of public transportation services for Detroit residents who depend on the system for mobility and access to employment, healthcare, and other essential services.

What's next

Starting pay for DDOT drivers is projected to reach $35 per hour by 2029
Collier plans to take time off and potentially join a transit advocacy organization
Frank Lacey has replaced Collier as union president

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com