CHESAPEAKE — Negotiations between bus drivers for the Chesapeake School System and the board of education have broken down.

Now, talks are in the hands of a federal mediator.

One session has already occurred and the next one is scheduled for Thursday, according to a release from the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE).

OAPSE Local 275 represents approximately 14 drivers employed by the Chesapeake Union Exempted Village School Board under a contract that expired on Oct. 4.

According to OAPSE, unresolved issues include longevity pay and the right to grieve extra trips.

This is the second time in three years that a federal mediator has been brought in to mediate between the bus drivers and the school board.

In December of 2004, both sides were trying to come to terms over the issue of school trips with the union seeking pay comparable to their counterparts in other districts.

Calls were made to Karen Bailey, OAPSE field representative, and Scott Howard, superintendent of Chesapeake schools. They were not returned by press time.