Catherwood LibraryILR School

Following a week of striking on behalf of members of Teamsters Local 174, who work as bus drivers under First Student for the Seattle public school system, a federal mediator will be presiding over reinitiated negotiations between First Student and union drivers. A vast majority of union members have remained resilient in picketing First Student, even as their employer offers individuals crossing the picket line extra pay and other benefits to mitigate the surge in student absences caused by the drivers’ strike. The union members’ main demands appear to be affordable health care and better retirement plan options, with First Student claiming that they have given workers generous and comprehensive coverage on both accounts. Both sides have expressed a desire to reach an agreement as the consequences of the strike escalate with a growing number of unexcused absences for nearly 200 students.