Kang Gijeong Urges City Bus Labor and Management to Accept 3% Wage Increase and Retirement Age Extension

Emergency Press Conference on the 20th
"Establishment and Operation of the Public Transportation Innovation Council"

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is holding an emergency press conference regarding the city bus strike on the morning of the 20th at the city hall briefing room. Photo by Kang Seongsu

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong stated on the 20th, in relation to the city bus labor-management wage and collective bargaining agreement, "I propose that the union immediately halt the strike by accepting the 3% wage increase proposal, and that the management accept the extension of the retirement age to 62."

Mayor Kang held an emergency press conference at the city hall briefing room on the morning of the same day, saying, "Social losses and inconvenience to citizens caused by the city bus strike, now in its 13th day, are growing ever greater," and added, "The city of Gwangju will establish and operate a (tentatively named) Public Transportation Innovation Council."

He said, "I would like to propose four measures, including a wage increase and extension of the retirement age," and urged again, "The union should actively accept the 3% base wage increase proposed by the Regional Labor Relations Commission, and the management should actively accept the extension of the retirement age for bus workers to 62."

Meanwhile, Mayor Kang, during a meeting with the union on the morning of the same day, requested acceptance of the 3% wage increase proposal, and it has been reported that the union expressed its intention to accept it. In addition, as the management is reportedly close to a phased acceptance of the union's demand for an extension of the retirement age, it appears that the wage and collective bargaining agreement will be settled soon. Mayor Kang explained that matters such as overtime pay will be continuously discussed through a consultative body formed by the union, the company, and the Gwangju city government.

Mayor Kang said, "The Public Transportation Innovation Council will discuss measures for fare rationalization, improvement of workers' wages and treatment, and the overall quasi-public operation system," and appealed, "As the inconvenience to citizens is increasing, the strike must not continue any longer. I ask everyone to join forces to end the strike immediately and restore normal operation of city buses."