Seoul Bus Association Urges Union to Refrain from Reckless Strike and Resolve Issues Through Dialogue

Request for "Sincere Negotiations" One Day Before General Strike Notice
Bus Association to Review Response to "Suspension of Tuition Benefits for Non-Strikers"

With just one day left until the date announced for a strike by the Seoul city bus union, the management side, represented by the Seoul Bus Transportation Business Association (Bus Association), stated, "We ask that you refrain from an irresponsible strike that seeks to push through demands by holding Seoul citizens' commutes hostage."

In a statement released on May 27, the Bus Association expressed "serious concern over the union's perception of the situation, which threatens to go as far as a strike at the expense of citizens' inconvenience," and added, "In particular, we urge the union to address the many pressing issues, such as wage system reform, through sincere dialogue."

On April 30, as negotiations between labor and management of Seoul city buses broke down and the union began a work-to-rule protest, a notice related to the protest was posted on a bus at the Seoul Station Bus Transfer Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. 2025.4.30. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

The Bus Association criticized the union's stance that the issue of ordinary wages cannot be discussed at the bargaining table. The Bus Association stated, "For any business in the Republic of Korea, it is a natural task to reform the wage system following a Supreme Court ruling," and added, "The union continues to take an unreasonable bargaining position, repeatedly asserting that it will not negotiate if the topic of 'ordinary wages' is brought up."

The statement continued, "Although the Bus Association has proposed numerous ways to reform the wage system during negotiations, we have not been able to properly discuss this year's wage increase rate due to the union's opposition," and added, "Even now, we hope for a thorough and serious discussion."

The Bus Association also responded to the union's announcement that it would cut welfare benefits for members who do not participate in the strike. According to the Bus Association, the union posted a notice on each branch bulletin board today, stating that it would suspend tuition and scholarship payments for members who do not join the strike on May 28. The Bus Association said, "Welfare funds are a benefit provided to all employees by the Transport Revenue Joint Management Council, which is jointly operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Bus Association. The union's discriminatory or selective distribution of these funds constitutes discrimination in working conditions," and added, "The Bus Association will actively consider countermeasures such as reclaiming the welfare funds and directly managing the welfare system in response to the union's actions."

The union has stated that if a tentative agreement on the wage collective bargaining agreement is not reached by midnight tonight, it will begin a strike starting with the first buses on May 28.