Local 174 represents over 400 school bus drivers, mechanics, and dispatchers servicing the Seattle School District. Yesterday, a strong majority of those working for First Student voted to authorize a strike against their employer. The group’s Teamster contract expires on March 31, opening up the possibility that a strike could be called as soon as April 1. They last went on strike against First Student in 2018.

These contract negotiations are crucial as they allow the group to take advantage of Washington State’s HB1248, a new law passed in March of 2024 that requires worker benefit levels at private school bus companies to be equitable to the benefits earned by bus drivers who work directly for school districts. The law significantly raises First Student workers’ healthcare and retirement benefits, but the Company began to resist bargaining in good faith to finish closing the gap between publicly and privately employed school bus drivers.

“First Student workers and their Union have been working together to climb a mountain for years, striving to reach an equal footing with their peers who work directly for school districts,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “Now that we are finally close and the summit is in sight, First Student has chosen to hold fast and refuse to continue bargaining. Our members told them today in a loud and clear voice, ‘we aren’t giving up until we reach the top of that mountain.’ Their demands are fair, and we hope First Student sees that and negotiates a contract that respects our members for the work they do each day transporting our most precious cargo, our children.”

Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 8,400 working men and women in the Seattle area. “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.