The wage collective bargaining between the labor and management of city buses in Changwon, Gyeongnam, has broken down, and the union began a strike halting bus operations from the morning of the 19th.
Meanwhile, Changwon Special City held an emergency countermeasure meeting that morning to minimize citizen inconvenience caused by the strike and launched a full-scale response.
City buses that have ceased operation are lined up at the public bus depot in Deokdong, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam. [Photo by Song Jong-gu]
On the other hand, Changwon citizens directed their concerns toward Changwon City, asking, "Who should be held responsible for the inconvenience citizens are experiencing?" and urged, "Strong administrative measures should be mobilized to ensure that labor and management return to negotiations."
They also addressed the bus company labor and management, saying, "Regardless of the reasons, it seems there is an intention to use citizens as hostages to gain an advantageous position in wage negotiations," and added, "If this is truly for the citizens, a sincere negotiation table must be arranged."
A citizen, Mr. Kim, criticized, "I am curious about what Changwon City and the bus company labor and management are thinking," and said, "It seems like they are smiling while watching the inconvenience of the citizens."
A representative of the city bus union stated, "We apologize for causing inconvenience to the citizens. We did not want a catastrophe and aimed to reach an agreement at the level of settlements in other local governments, but we do not understand the management's refusal to accept this."
A bus company official said, "First, we apologize for the current situation causing inconvenience to citizens. We will have labor and management meet as soon as possible to find a point of agreement."
Meanwhile, the city has established an emergency transportation plan related to the bus strike and is operating a separate emergency transportation situation room simultaneously with the strike.
At 6 a.m. on the 19th, 142 chartered buses and 10 public buses, totaling 152 vehicles, were deployed on 57 routes, and 800 rented taxis were alternatively deployed on 41 routes.
Chartered buses and public buses can be used free of charge on the same routes as the existing city buses during the strike period, and rented taxis have city bus route numbers attached and operate on assigned routes during commuting hours with a fare of 1,000 won.
Temporary city bus route guides for the strike period have also been posted on the city’s website.
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