[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The city buses in Changwon, Gyeongnam, are once again at a crossroads, facing the possibility of stopping service.
The labor and management of Changwon city buses entered their first wage negotiations since the implementation of the semi-public operation system in February, but have yet to reach an agreement.
According to the Gyeongnam Labor Commission, the Changwon City Bus Labor Union Council of the Gyeongnam Regional Branch of the National Automobile Workers' Union Federation filed a labor dispute mediation request on the 11th.
The Changwon city bus union demanded improvements in bus drivers' working conditions, including ▲ an 11.3% wage increase based on hourly wages by years of service ▲ a 39,000 KRW increase in fitness training allowance ▲ a 20,000 KRW increase in accident-free allowance ▲ and the introduction of meal ticket system.
The union plans to hold a strike vote among its members on the 19th. If no agreement is reached by the expiration of the mediation request on the 26th, they have announced that 75% of bus operations will be suspended starting from the 27th.
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