SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - A full-scale strike by bus drivers in Seoul is increasingly looming, as they threatened again on Thursday to proceed with their planned strike next week.
The union, affiliated with the Korean Automobile Workers' Federation, has held a dozen rounds of wage talks with the city's bus operators since March. But the two sides have still been unable to narrow their differences over the workweek hours used to calculate wages as well as a proposed pay increase.
The union is demanding that 176 hours be used as the monthly basis for calculating wages, along with a 7.85 percent increase in hourly wages, citing a 2024 Supreme Court ruling in a case involving Dong-A Transportation.
But the operators disagree, proposing 209 hours instead, with any differences to be settled later because part of disputes in the case including whether bonuses should be included in ordinary wages were referred to a lower court the following year and remain pending.
They estimate that accepting the union's demands would increase annual costs by 539.4 billion won ($390 million), instead offering an overall 10.32 percent wage increase including bonuses.
The two sides met for a mediation session earlier this week but failed to reach an agreement, with another session scheduled for next Tuesday.
The union remains adamant about going ahead with the strike starting with the first buses on Sept. 16 if no breakthrough is reached in their talks, though it remains open to further negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is seeking to mediate a settlement between the two sides while preparing emergency transportation measures to minimize possible disruptions.
About 7,000 buses operate across Seoul each day, carrying an average of more than 3.79 million passengers.
AJP Takeaways
- Seoul bus drivers plan to begin a full-scale strike on Sept. 16, 2026, if wage negotiations fail to reach an agreement.
- The Seoul City Bus Labor Union is seeking a 176-hour monthly wage calculation basis and a 7.85-percent hourly wage increase, while the Seoul City Bus Transport Business Association is proposing 209 hours and an overall 10.32-percent pay increase including bonuses.
- About 7,000 buses operate across Seoul each day, carrying an average of more than 3.79 million riders, prompting the Seoul Metropolitan Government to prepare emergency transportation measures.
The union, affiliated with the Korean Automobile Workers' Federation, has held a dozen rounds of wage talks with the city's bus operators since March. But the two sides have still been unable to narrow their differences over the workweek hours used to calculate wages as well as a proposed pay increase.
The union is demanding that 176 hours be used as the monthly basis for calculating wages, along with a 7.85 percent increase in hourly wages, citing a 2024 Supreme Court ruling in a case involving Dong-A Transportation.
But the operators disagree, proposing 209 hours instead, with any differences to be settled later because part of disputes in the case including whether bonuses should be included in ordinary wages were referred to a lower court the following year and remain pending.
They estimate that accepting the union's demands would increase annual costs by 539.4 billion won ($390 million), instead offering an overall 10.32 percent wage increase including bonuses.
The two sides met for a mediation session earlier this week but failed to reach an agreement, with another session scheduled for next Tuesday.
The union remains adamant about going ahead with the strike starting with the first buses on Sept. 16 if no breakthrough is reached in their talks, though it remains open to further negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is seeking to mediate a settlement between the two sides while preparing emergency transportation measures to minimize possible disruptions.
About 7,000 buses operate across Seoul each day, carrying an average of more than 3.79 million passengers.
AJP Takeaways
- Seoul bus drivers plan to begin a full-scale strike on Sept. 16, 2026, if wage negotiations fail to reach an agreement.
- The Seoul City Bus Labor Union is seeking a 176-hour monthly wage calculation basis and a 7.85-percent hourly wage increase, while the Seoul City Bus Transport Business Association is proposing 209 hours and an overall 10.32-percent pay increase including bonuses.
- About 7,000 buses operate across Seoul each day, carrying an average of more than 3.79 million riders, prompting the Seoul Metropolitan Government to prepare emergency transportation measures.
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