Seattle Public School Bus Drivers On Strike

SEATTLE (AP) — School bus drivers in Washington state's largest school district have gone on strike.

Bus drivers with First Student, represented by the Teamsters union, were walking the picket line Thursday morning.

The drivers are employed by First Student, which is contracted by the district to provide bus service. About 12,000 students in Seattle Public Schools take the bus to school.

The union says its drivers deserve health care and retirement benefits and the strike will last until a deal is reached.

First Student said on its website Wednesday that it was disappointed the union leadership didn't bring a deal to its members for a vote.