Seattle School Bus Strike 'All But Imminent,' Labor Union Says

SEATTLE, WA - The union representing Seattle school bus drivers says that a prolonged strike is "all but imminent" after drivers rejected the latest compensation offer from employer First Student.

On Jan. 6, 85 percent of Teamsters 174 union bus drivers voted against an offer from First Student offer that did not include medical benefits or a pension plan. About 400 bus drivers serve Seattle's 12,000 public school students.

"First Student brought something new to the table, but it was not enough," Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks said, according to the union. "These drivers have already been to war. They know that you only get what you are willing to fight for – and they are willing to fight for a lot more than this latest proposal. They made that very clear today."

The bus drivers went on a planned one-day strike on Nov. 29. The union notified the school district a day before the strike to allow parents to make alternate plans. In response to the Jan. 6 vote, the district pledged to contact parents if the issue is either resolved or develops into a strike.

"Our commitment is to alert you of significant developments, such as a strike being called or if First Student resolves its labor issues with the union. The district will call and/or email families whose student(s) rides a First Student school bus or whose high school provides First Student shuttle service to a Metro hub," the district said in a statement.

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