Seoul Bus Drivers' Strike Resolves with Wage Agreement

_{Photo:  Reuters}

Seoul Bus Drivers End Strike, Return to Roads After Wage Deal

In Seoul, thousands of bus drivers brought an end to their hours-long strike on Thursday and resumed their duties after their union reached a compromise with employers regarding a wage increase. The strike, which began earlier in the day, had disrupted a staggering 97 percent of the bus routes in the South Korean capital, causing chaos for commuters during the busy morning rush hour.

This strike marked the first general strike by bus drivers since 2012 and came as negotiations over pay had collapsed earlier that same Thursday. The drivers had initially demanded a significant 12.7 percent hourly wage increase. However, following a second round of talks held later in the afternoon, the two sides managed to reach an agreement. As per the deal, the drivers agreed to accept a 4.48 percent wage increase along with bonuses for two major holidays, as announced by the Seoul city government.

The Seoul city government promptly announced that all bus routes would return to normal operations starting from 1500 (0600 GMT). To mitigate the impact of the strike on commuters, the city had extended the operating hours of the subway and added more trains during peak commuting hours. This move was part of the government's commitment to deploying all available transportation resources to alleviate the disruption caused by the strike.

Many commuters found themselves caught off guard by the strike and were compelled to seek alternative transportation options, such as the subway. Some expressed surprise upon arriving at bus stations to find them deserted, with no bus schedules displayed on the screens.

Among the affected commuters was Cho Min-sang, who admitted being unaware of the bus strike due to not closely following the news. Similarly, You Jae-youn, a 37-year-old AI industry researcher, shared her decision to work from home upon learning of the strike. Despite the inconvenience caused by the strike, she voiced her support for the drivers, emphasizing the importance of labor-management negotiations in ensuring fair working conditions.