For the first time since 2014, there’s a new president of Local 506 of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America at Erie’s Wabtec plant.
Ryan Mudger, 50, of Erie, stepped into that role on Nov. 1 following a special election in October.
Mudger, who joined what was previously GE Transportation in 2008, takes over for Scott Slawson, who was elected to serve as president of the national UE, which represents about 40,000 union members nationwide.
Ryan Mudger is president of UE Local 506 at Wabtec Corp.
“I’m stepping into some big shoes,” Mudger said. “He (Slawson) has done a lot for this membership. If I can do half the job we will be in good shape.”
Mudger isn’t new to the union.
He participated in strikes in 2019 and 2024 and has served for the last six years as chief union steward.
Mudger said he’s not confrontational by nature, but is prepared to fight for the best interests of union members.
“There are times you have to stand up for your membership,” he said. “Sometimes you have to help find the middle ground.”
A Meadville native, who only moved to Erie about a year ago, Mudger said he worked for years in the tool and die industry. He said took the job at GE Transportation in search of better pay and benefits.
More: For more than a decade, Scott Slawson led Erie’s largest industrial union. He’s moving on
As president of Erie’s largest industrial union, it will be his job to preserve those wages and benefits.
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Mudger, who’s worked in a number of assembly roles at Erie’s locomotive plant, says what’s good for the membership is good for the community.
“We want to see Erie prosper,” he said.
Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Ryan Mudger has been elected new president of UE 506 at Wabtec