DETROIT, MI - In a landslide vote, UAW delegates today elected Secretary-Treasurer Dennis Williams the union's new president during the 36th UAW Constitutional Convention in Detroit, reported MichiganLive.

Williams, who joined the union as a salvage welder for UAW Local 806 in 1977, received 98.5 percent – 3,215.969 of 3,270 – of eligible votes over opposing candidate Gary Walkowicz of UAW Local 600 in Dearborn, Mich.

"It's humbling," Williams told reporters following the election. "I'm excited for our union. I feel the energy, the power of our unity. I'm looking forward to the challenges we have."

Williams succeeds Bob King, who was well respected by members and automotive executives since his election in 2010.

Before being elected secretary-treasurer in 2010, Williams also served UAW Region 4 Director for nine years. Region 4 includes Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Williams' election comes a day after delegates approved a controversial monthly dues increase for its members. The increase – the first for the UAW since 1967 – raises monthly payments from two hours of pay per month to two and a half hours.

There was not an official vote count. Following a somewhat close vocal "aye" versus "nay" vote, King called for a hand vote and declared that "the ayes certainly have it."

According to the UAW, the increase represents an additional $10 per month for the average member and generates an additional $45 million per year, all of which goes to the strike fund, which was renamed by delegates as the International Union Strike and Defense Fund.

As of last year, the strike fund was at almost $627 million. It was once at more than $1 billion, which King said he would like to see again. According to UAW documents, the strike fund had a year-end high of more than $914 million in 2005. Since then, it has decreased on average about $287 million a year.

The 36th UAW Constitutional Convention, held every four years, started Monday morning. It continues through Thursday at Cobo Center in Detroit.

Williams is expected to give his inaugural address as president Thursday during the convention.

Gary Casteel, who ran unopposed, was elected by acclimation to replace Williams as Secretary-Treasurer.

Other elections included the re-elections of vice presidents Cynthia Estrada and Jimmy Settles and Norwood Jewell of UAW Region 1C (now Region 1D) replacing General Holiefield as the third vice president. The vice presidents ran unopposed and were elected by acclimation.