Some 300 unionized school bus drivers in Howard County overwhelmingly voted on Thursday to reject a contract from Zum Services and authorize a strike.

Howard County school bus drivers, van drivers, attendants and trainers who are employed by Zum are calling for livable wages and paid leave. They held a rally early last month.

Earlier this year, workers voted by a 4-1 margin to join the Teamsters Local 570 union. Members of the union called Zum’s offer outrageously low, and 99% of members voted to authorize a strike.

“I would say that we’re trying to send a message to Howard County and Zum that we love our job, we love what (we’re) doing, we love picking up the kids, but we just want to be dealt with fair,” said William Waters, a school bus driver.

“Howard County and Zum has got to come

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