No resolution in sight for Zum and Howard County bus drivers in contract negotiations

After another two days of negotiations, the union for Zum bus drivers and attendants still feels it's no closer to a labor contract with the company.

The union, Teamsters Local 570, has primarily been calling for higher wages, calling the current pay unlivable.

A strike is also imminent, after the union voted overwhelmingly to authorize one earlier this month.

The union has also been trying to garner support, trying to engage parents and even the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) leadership.

However, school district leaders say that pressure is "unproductive."

The update comes a day after county officials denounced bus drivers for allegedly handing flyers to students during contract negotiations.

Calling on HCPSS to help

The union's secretary and treasurer, Sean Cedenio, said higher wages, better benefits, and time off are big items both sides can't agree on.

"Our goal is to try to see if we can reach a resolution, hopefully by the end of October," Cedenio said. "We think this has been a long, drawn-out process."

Zum didn't provide a statement on Tuesday, but in the past has said the company is trying to do its best to reach a contract without a strike.

Recently, the union created flyers to try and drum up support with parents.

"Join us in urging the county and school board to act now -- and ensure fair pay and fair treatment for the workers who keep your children safe every day," the flyer reads.

But Cedenio feels the support the union really needs is from the school district.

"[School district leaders] can sit with us, they can have a conversation with the parties to try to resolve this," Cedenio said. "I believe they hold the key to it."

Cedenio and the union believe the help should go beyond contract negotiations, some of which are detailed on the union's flyer.

"While Zum is the Employer and has to negotiate and ensure a fair contract...Howard County Board of Education and County Government have refused to step in and provide the funding needed to get a fair deal done," the flyer reads.

'Unproductive and a distraction'

In a statement on Monday, Howard County schools superintendent Bill Barnes and Board of Education chair Jolene Mosley said the union crossed the line with its flyers, saying they were handed to children.

Handing campaign materials like that to students is against school district policy.

Barnes and Mosley also described the added pressure to the school district as "unproductive and a distraction."

In their statement, Barnes and Mosley said rate adjustment requests are only permitted at the time of renewal because of the agreement signed between HCPSS and Zum.

The renewal period for this agreement will happen between winter and spring for the 2026-2027 school year.

Barnes and Mosley also said their hands are tied because the budget is already established.

"Any increase provided to Zum Services would require the reallocation of funding away from student instruction and schools," the statement reads.

Zum currently operates nearly 200 of the 548 vehicles operating under HCPSS.