A strike vote by the Seoul city bus labor union, which has warned of a walkout starting with the first buses on the 16th, was approved on the 11th.
The Korea Automobile & Transport Workers' Federation Seoul City Bus Labor Union said that in the strike vote held that day, 16,089 of 18,296 eligible members at 61 regular bus companies, or 87.94%, voted in favor. There were 575 votes against, 52 invalid ballots, and 1,580 abstentions.
In the vote by union members at three branch bus companies that also held a strike ballot that day, 260 of 323 total members, or 80.50%, voted in favor. Branch bus companies conduct separate collective bargaining and conclude separate collective agreements from regular buses, and with this vote they have obtained the qualification to go on strike at the same time.
Accordingly, the union can strike if it fails to narrow differences with management at the second mediation session of the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission scheduled for the 15th of this month. The union has warned of a full strike starting with the first buses on the 16th.
Seoul City and management are preparing emergency transportation measures, including deploying shuttle buses and increasing subway service, in case of a potential strike.
The Seoul city bus labor and management are in conflict over the standard hours for calculating ordinary wages.
The union holds that the standard hours for calculating ordinary wages should be 176 hours per month. It cites a Supreme Court ruling in a lawsuit filed by Dong-A Transportation workers against management that recognized 176 hours per month.
By contrast, management, the Seoul City Bus Transport Association, argues the standard hours for calculating ordinary wages should be at least 209 hours. It also says the outcome of the remand trial sent back by the Supreme Court must be considered. In addition, it says that if 176 hours are applied as the union demands, more than 500 billion won in additional expense would be incurred every year, making it difficult to bear.
Management proposed a 10.32% wage increase in exchange for overhauling the pay system based on 209 hours per month, but the union reportedly rejected it.