We are pleased to jointly announce that we have reached an agreement that reflects our shared commitment to Zum’s Teamster Seattle drivers and the students and families of the Seattle School District. The deal covers retirement benefits for the 300 workers who provide 80% of the yellow school bus transportation for children in the Seattle School District. The proposed offer reflects a collaboration between both sides, and a ratification vote is scheduled for October 10.

“Throughout the negotiations, both sides engaged productively and in good faith, strengthening our collaborative relationship,” Zum said. “We are united in our commitment to supporting our incredible drivers and delivering safe, reliable student mobility for Seattle families every school day.”

“This deal represents a victory for both sides,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “We are all thrilled that a strike was averted, as we all understand how important school bus service is to families in the Seattle School District. A suspension of school bus service would disproportionately affect working class families who do not have alternative means of transporting their children to school, so both sides worked hard to avoid that outcome and we are thrilled to announce that our efforts have been successful.”

Zum and the Teamsters are excited to continue serving the Seattle community, and look forward to working together on behalf of our drivers, students and families for years to come.