Trending...
- Spokane: Council Members Official Swearing In Ceremony
- 30 Community Art Projects Funded by the Tacoma Arts Commission
- Spokane: Mayor Brown Appoints New Emergency Communications Director
SEATTLE, May 24, 2023 ~ Nearly 150 Zūm drivers and technicians, represented by Teamsters Local 174, are on the brink of a work stoppage after voting overwhelmingly to authorize a strike.
The vote was held on Sunday morning, with 95 percent of workers in attendance voting in favor of a strike. The workers are frustrated with the slow pace of contract negotiations and the refusal of Zūm to agree to basic language allowing them to honor a picket line. This is especially concerning given that the contract with the other school bus provider for the district, First Student, already set a clear standard for school bus drivers and mechanics in Seattle.
Rick Hicks, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer said: "As these negotiations have dragged on, it has become clear that Zūm made an unrealistically low bid to the Seattle School District to take this work, and they want to pass responsibility for that decision onto their workers rather than themselves. These hardworking bus drivers refuse to accept less than they deserve just to help protect Zūm's bottom line, especially when Zūm executives were the ones who made the poor business decision to underbid this contract. They can either live with that decision, or they can face a strike by their workforce."
More on Washingtoner
School bus service for SSD had previously been exclusively provided by First Student until the end of 2022 when SSD chose to award roughly half the work to California-based Zūm. The newly hired employees quickly organized with Local 174 which already represented workers at First Student and negotiations for a first contract have been ongoing since then. With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, workers used this strike vote as an ultimatum for Zūm that they were tired of working without a contract.
Teamsters Local 174 represents 8,600 working men and women in Seattle and surrounding areas since 1909.
The vote was held on Sunday morning, with 95 percent of workers in attendance voting in favor of a strike. The workers are frustrated with the slow pace of contract negotiations and the refusal of Zūm to agree to basic language allowing them to honor a picket line. This is especially concerning given that the contract with the other school bus provider for the district, First Student, already set a clear standard for school bus drivers and mechanics in Seattle.
Rick Hicks, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer said: "As these negotiations have dragged on, it has become clear that Zūm made an unrealistically low bid to the Seattle School District to take this work, and they want to pass responsibility for that decision onto their workers rather than themselves. These hardworking bus drivers refuse to accept less than they deserve just to help protect Zūm's bottom line, especially when Zūm executives were the ones who made the poor business decision to underbid this contract. They can either live with that decision, or they can face a strike by their workforce."
More on Washingtoner
- Spokane: City Closures Planned for MLK Jr. Day
- Rande Vick Introduces Radical Value, Challenging How Brands Measure Long-Term Value
- Lisa Mauretti Launches Peace of Mind Travel Coaching to Guide Fearful Travelers to Discover the World with Confidence
- New Year, New Home: Begin 2026 at Heritage at South Brunswick
- Food Journal Magazine Releases Its 'Best Food In Los Angeles Dining' Editorial Section
School bus service for SSD had previously been exclusively provided by First Student until the end of 2022 when SSD chose to award roughly half the work to California-based Zūm. The newly hired employees quickly organized with Local 174 which already represented workers at First Student and negotiations for a first contract have been ongoing since then. With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, workers used this strike vote as an ultimatum for Zūm that they were tired of working without a contract.
Teamsters Local 174 represents 8,600 working men and women in Seattle and surrounding areas since 1909.
0 Comments
Latest on Washingtoner
- The 3rd Annual Newark Summit for Real Estate, Economic Development & Placemaking Returns February 9th
- Ski Safety Awareness Month highlights why seeing clearly and wearing modern protection matters more than ever
- Vent Pros Expands Operations into Arizona to Meet Growing Demand for Commercial Ventilation and Kitchen Hood Cleaning Services
- Klein Civil Rights Expands with New Offices in New York's Historic Woolworth Building
- Biz Hub Financial Hosts 9th Annual Client Appreciation Event, Awards $1,000 CARES Community Grant
- Green Office Partner Appoints Aaron Smith as Chief Revenue and Growth Officer
- A Family Completes a Full Circumnavigation of the Globe in a Self-Contained Camper Van
- Former Google Search Team Member Launches AI-Powered SEO Consultancy in Las Vegas
- Q3 2025 Arizona Technology Industry Impact Report Highlights Shifting Job Demand, Semiconductor Momentum and Workforce Investment
- $6.4 Million Purchase of Construction Vehicles Plus New Dealership Agreement with Cycle & Carriage for Heavy Equipment Provider to Singapore Region
- CCHR Says Mounting Evidence of Persistent Sexual Dysfunction From Antidepressants Demands FDA Action
- Acmeware and Avo Partner to Bring Real-Time Data Integration to MEDITECH Customers
- New Analysis Reveals Most Patients Discontinue Weight Loss Drugs Within First Year
- ICHRRF welcomes Sanjaya Sarpong-Kumankumah as Director of Outreach for African Traditional Religions
- Erik Kalasunas Joins ICHRRF As Director of Communications
- Spokane: Council Members Official Swearing In Ceremony
- International Law Group Expands Emergency Immigration Consultations for Somali Minnesotans Amid ICE Actions
- Spokane: Male In Custody After Domestic Violence Court Order Service Results In Emergent Entry Into A Residence; Multiple Firearms Recovered
- Sergio C. Flores Appointed Tacoma Municipal Court Judge
- Tacoma: Statement from Mayor Anders Ibsen Regarding Recent ICE Activity