Seoul Bus Total Strike D-1... Labor and Management in 'Final Tug of War'

"12.7% Wage Increase" vs "Excessive"
Expected Difficulties... Commuting Chaos Crisis Tomorrow

Seoul city buses will begin the 'final coordination' to decide whether to stop operations on the 28th. The Seoul City Bus Labor Union is demanding a 12.7% wage increase to prevent workforce outflow, but the management and Seoul city show reluctance, making negotiations expected to be difficult.

The Seoul City Bus Labor Union and the management side, the Seoul Metropolitan City Bus Transportation Business Association, will hold a final adjustment meeting at 2:30 PM on the 27th at the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission. The union has stated that if no agreement is reached by midnight during the meeting, they will start a simultaneous strike from the first bus on the 28th. Previously, the union decided to initiate collective action with a vote of 16,046 in favor (88.5%) out of 16,317 votes cast from 18,133 total union members.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The core issue in the meeting is whether the wage increase proposals presented by both labor and management can be coordinated. The union is demanding wage improvements that lag behind nearby semi-public bus service areas such as Incheon. In Incheon, the total wage increase rate over the past five years was 27.7%, whereas Seoul's was only 14.9%. Additionally, the union argues that although the actual cost of living in Seoul is higher than in other regions, the wage level is low, causing bus drivers to move to neighboring areas.

On the other hand, management claims that the union's demands are excessive compared to recent inflation rates over the past five years. The Bus Association proposed a 2.5% wage increase considering recent inflation rates and civil servant wage hikes. They also emphasized that accepting all of the union's demands would result in at least an additional 184.1 billion KRW annually, which would become a burden on citizens.

Whether the so-called 'commute chaos' will occur on the 28th due to the bus strike remains uncertain. During the nationwide bus strike in 2022, which was a reaction to a wage freeze, final negotiations were concluded around 1 AM?three hours before the first bus departure in Seoul?leading to the strike being called off. In 2012, bus operations were suspended for only about 20 minutes after the first bus departure, so the impact on the morning commute was minimal.

Seoul city has prepared emergency transportation measures such as extended subway operations and free shuttle buses. A city official said, "We are encouraging both parties to negotiate autonomously as much as possible," and added, "We will strive to conclude (the strike) at a reasonable level through adjustment and compromise during today's meeting."