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United Transportation Union (UTU) International Vice President Delbert Strunk, who recently was selected by the union's board to succeed Kim Thompson as international general secretary and treasurer on Jan. 1, has instead opted to retire on Dec. 31. Thompson previously announced plans to retire at year's end.

The board soon will meet to determine another successor to Thompson, UTU officials said in a prepared statement.

Strunk began his railroading career in 1973 as a brakeman on the Cleveland Division of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. After assuming a legislative representative post in 1975, he held various positions with the UTU over the years, including vice local chairperson, local chairperson, general secretary, alternate vice president-East and international VP.