Nationwide Bus Unions Begin Mediation Procedures: "Over 26,000 Buses to Participate"

Strike Authorization Votes to Be Held from the 23rd to 27th
Strike to Begin with First Buses on the 28th if Negotiations Fail

With over 26,000 unionized buses across Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and other regions nationwide announcing a general strike for the 28th, the unions have begun formal dispute procedures, including filing for simultaneous mediation.

The Korea Automobile & Transport Workers’ Federation announced on the 13th that, following a decision at the national delegates’ meeting on the 8th, its affiliated bus unions began legal dispute procedures on the 12th by filing for mediation with their respective regional labor commissions.

On the 30th of last month, labor negotiations between Seoul city bus workers and management broke down, leading to a legal strike. The legal strike involved buses departing only after confirming that all passengers were fully seated or holding onto handrails. City bus drivers avoided sudden acceleration, abrupt braking, rapid lane changes, door-opening departures, and cutting in. On May 7, 2025, a city bus driving through Seoul was moving slowly with its hazard lights on. Photo by Dongju Yoon

Previously, the federation stated that if negotiations fail to reach an agreement after 15 days of mediation following the simultaneous mediation request on the 12th, a simultaneous strike will begin with the first buses on the 28th. The bus unions argue that the issue of ordinary wages should be resolved in the courts rather than through collective bargaining. In contrast, local governments and bus operators maintain that wage structures must be adjusted through collective bargaining agreements to reflect recent changes in court precedents regarding ordinary wages.

Initially, it was expected that all 22 bus unions would file for mediation, resulting in about 40,000 buses participating in the strike. However, some unions have been excluded. The regions participating include Seoul, which has already completed legal procedures, as well as Busan, Incheon, Gwangju, Ulsan, North Chungcheong, South Gyeongsang, Gyeonggi, and Jeju, totaling 26,216 buses and approximately 53,200 workers.

A representative of the federation stated, “Considering the situation on the ground, some regional unions have been excluded from the simultaneous mediation request,” and added, “Although a strike authorization vote among union members has not yet been held, it is expected to pass without issue, as previous votes have shown an approval rate of over 90%.”

The strike authorization votes will be conducted by each union between the 23rd and 27th, in accordance with local circumstances. If no agreement is reached between labor and management by midnight on the 27th, the unions will begin their strike with the first buses on the 28th.

The federation reiterated, “We will put all options on the negotiating table and make every effort to minimize inconvenience to citizens through negotiations.”