Seattle Bus Drivers Reject Contract Offer

School-bus drivers closed out the second week of their strike Monday by rejecting, 157-73, a contract proposal worked out in weekend negotiations.

“This was obviously disappointing and very surprising in that this was a union proposal,” said Laidlaw Transit Co. spokesman Kevin Mest.

The company will begin hiring permanent replacement drivers, he said.

Officials of Teamsters Union Local 763, representing the 300 Seattle School District drivers who on strike March 7, did not immediately return calls for comment.

Seattle district Superintendent Bill Kendrick said continuation of the strike was “very upsetting. … this strike will continue to disrupt the lives of thousands of our students and families.” He noted that, under federal law, the district was prevented from taking legal action.

The company asked for a couple of changes Sunday in the union proposal, Mest said, “but by the end of the night it was still their proposal, and each and every one of the union bargainingcommittee members confirmed that they would recommend this.

“So we felt highly confident that we had a deal,” he said.

“We’re really perplexed as to what took place in their camp. … I think it clearly indicated we’re probably negotiating with the wrong group.”

Union officials said Sunday they would offer the proposal without comment.

“I’m not sure where we go from here” as far as contract talks, Mest said.

The strike makes more likely sympathy strikes by Teamsters who drive Laidlaw buses on Vashon Island and the Thurston County community of Tenino, he said.

Walkouts there were discussed late last week but were put on hold when it appeared an agreement was possible. There are 14 drivers on Vashon and about two dozen in Tenino, Mest said.

Meanwhile, in Seattle, “We will have to start hiring permanent replacement workers,” Mest said.

Five newly trained drivers were heading out Tuesday, Mest said. The company had 14 of its 282 vans and buses on the road Monday, mostly serving special-needs youngsters.

Another 34 drivers were nearing completion of their training, he said, and the number and quality of job applicants will improve with offers of permanent employment.