School bus driver strike averted in Seattle

SEATTLE — A potential strike of hundreds of school bus drivers here was averted when union members approved a new contract on Saturday.

Teamsters Local 174, which represents more than 450 school bus drivers who transport students for Seattle Public Schools, had said it was prepared to strike since mid-February.

On Saturday, Local 174 reached an agreement with First Student. Union members voted by 73% to ratify the new contract.

Union officials said that the agreement will "ensure labor peace through July of 2016."

“Although this new contract is not perfect, the union was able to address the members' concerns about healthcare, wage increases and the company’s current PTO [paid time off] policy,” Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks said.

Other recent news on school transportation in Seattle:

• Seattle district approves busing cuts, arrival time changes