Seattle school bus drivers represented by Teamsters Local 174 have authorized a possible strike after contract talks with private operator Zūm Services stalled over retirement benefits. The vote, taken on Thursday, gives the union the right to call a work stoppage if the parties cannot reach a new agreement, signaling that the dispute could soon affect daily student transportation across the city.
The authorization does not set a strike date, but it shows the union is prepared to walk off the job should negotiations continue without resolution. Teamsters Local 174 members voted to approve the strike option, a step that typically follows a period of intense bargaining when key contract elements remain unsettled. Both the union and Zūm Services have indicated a willingness to keep discussions open, yet no final terms have been presented.
If a strike were to occur, thousands of Seattle students could lose access to school bus services, disrupting routes that the private contractor currently operates for the district. The potential interruption underscores how integral the contract is to the city’s broader education system, as many families rely on bus transportation for daily attendance.
The core of the disagreement centers on retirement benefits, which the union says are vital for the long‑term security of its members. Zūm Services, meanwhile, has raised concerns about the financial impact of expanding those benefits. Negotiators have met multiple times, but the gap over pension provisions remains the sticking point. Both sides have expressed a desire to avoid a work stoppage, acknowledging the inconvenience a strike would cause students, parents, and school staff as the new school year approaches.