Impasse Reached: Seoul Bus Union Opts for Compliance Action

Commuters in Seoul brace for potential disruptions as the Seoul Bus Labor Union initiates a compliance operation starting at 4:00 AM on April 30th.This action follows the breakdown of last-ditch negotiations between the union and the Seoul Bus Transportation Business Association, mediated by the Seoul Regional Labor Commission.

While a full-blown strike has been averted for now, this compliance action, often referred to as a “work-to-rule” strategy, is anticipated to cause delays and increased intervals between bus services. The union’s move raises concerns about critically important commuter inconvenience, notably during peak hours.

The Core Dispute: Wages and the Definition of “Ordinary Wages“

The central sticking point in the negotiations revolves around the scope of “ordinary wages.” The union insists that bonuses paid bi-monthly, as mandated by a Supreme court ruling last year, should be automatically incorporated into ordinary wages. These wages are typically excluded from collective bargaining agreements.

Conversely, the bus companies argue that including these bonuses would lead to an approximate 15% increase in average wages. When combined with proposed basic salary increases, the total wage burden would rise by an unsustainable 23%.

As a result, we are inconvenient to citizens. The normal wage problem is a time when social consensus is needed as the ripple effect is high in the whole industry as well as in Seoul.

Kim Jung -hwan, chairman of the Seoul bus Transportation Business Association

Union’s Stance: Protecting Worker Conditions

Union representatives maintain that their actions are necessary to protect the livelihoods of bus drivers. They claim that the company’s proposals would not only freeze wages but also negatively impact conditions related to ordinary wages.

The company said that it would cut not only the wage freezing but also the conditions related to ordinary wages. Even if the compliance is operated, the inconvenience of citizens will not be great.

Park Guk -gon, chairman of the National Bus Trade Union of the National Automobile Labor Union

The union emphasizes that even with the compliance operation, they aim to minimize disruption to the public.

City Government Response: Minimizing Disruption

In response to the impending compliance action, the seoul Metropolitan Government has announced measures to mitigate potential disruptions. These include extending operating hours for subway lines 1-8 and the Ui New Line, with 47 additional services during commute times. Furthermore, free shuttle buses will operate on 12 key routes.

Authorities are also advising commuters to consider choice transportation options, such as the subway, as increased dispatch intervals on some bus routes are anticipated due to the compliance operation.

According to recent data from the Seoul Metropolitan Government,approximately 5.5 million people rely on the city’s bus network daily. Any significant disruption could therefore have a widespread impact.

Looking ahead: Navigating Labor-Management Conflicts

while a full-scale strike has been avoided, the underlying labor-management conflict remains unresolved. The city government acknowledges the ongoing tensions and is working to find a solution that addresses the concerns of both parties.

We have avoided the worst of the strike,but there are still labor -management conflicts.

Yeo -kwon, head of the Seoul Transportation Division

The situation highlights the challenges of balancing fair wages and working conditions for public transportation workers with the need to maintain affordable and reliable services for the public. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether a lasting resolution can be reached.