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Howard County Schools Rebuke Drivers' Use of Students in Zum Labor Dispute

Leaders apologized, noting contractor pay changes are limited until renewal talks this winter.

Overview

  • District officials said some Zum drivers handed students flyers urging families to call the transportation office to advocate for higher pay.
  • The school system called the tactic a violation of policy and issued an apology to students and families.
  • Teamsters Local 570 rejected Zum’s last, best and final offer and authorized a strike, with no work stoppage to date.
  • Zum said negotiations remain active and the company aims to reach an agreement that avoids a strike.
  • HCPSS said rates can only be adjusted at contract renewal and any increase now would divert funds from instruction, noting Zum operates 197 of the system’s 548 vehicles.