The Seattle Education Association (SEA) may hold a walkout in solidarity of bus drivers looking for a new contract.
The SEA, which is comprised of Seattle teachers, will hold a vote to decide whether to walk out. Votes will be tabulated Saturday with a simple majority needed to pass.
SEA President Phyllis Campano says the walkout would be on a Wednesday and during the planning period so that it will not impact students.
It would be SEA's way of showing support for the 400 drivers who already went on a one-day strike in November. Teamsters Local 174, which has been leading formal talks with busing company First Student, says talks are focused on health care and retirement benefits. The union membership voted 85% to reject the latest proposal from First Student and has hinted that a strike could be imminent.
The Teamsters' Jamie Fleming said the group is still talking with a mediator and is surprised at the lack of movement over several months.
“To them, you know, they're driving other people's children back and forth to school every day. And not only do they not have health insurance, but their children don't have health insurance either," Fleming said.
Fleming says bus drivers would likely be given 18 hours notice of a work stoppage, but if it gets to that point, it would also likely mean an extended strike.
First Student did not return a call for comment, but did release this statement:
Over the holidays, First Student representatives spoke with Local 174 leadership multiple times. Based on these discussions, we redoubled our efforts to address the union's stated objectives and priorities.
We came to a tentative agreement with Local 174 leadership, but the offer was not ratified by union members. We are surprised and disappointed that our offer wasn't accepted.
In the agreed-upon proposal, we offered to provide comprehensive health benefits for all drivers and committed to pay 80 percent of the cost. Based on the monthly premium of $582, First Student would pay $466 and each employee would pay $116 – an annual benefit of more than $5,500 for each employee.
These benefits are in addition to a significant wage increase and cash stipend that union members ratified in August 2016:
-- A wage increase of up to 20 percent with a top wage of more than $24 per hour.
-- An annual cash stipend of up to $1,920 for each employee who chooses to not receive healthcare benefits.
Over the last four years, First Student has increased average wages by more than 38 percent.
At First Student, we view ourselves as an integral part of the Seattle community. We understand the critical nature of our work, and we take great pride in what we do.
We want to partner with Local 174 to ensure the best possible outcome for our drivers, our students and the community. Our goal is to reach an agreement that's fair and equitable for all parties.
