First City Bus Strike Announced After Changwon Semi-Public Operation Implementation... Election Turmoil Without a 'Sujang' Raises Concerns of Prolonged Crisis

Changwon-si Busy Preparing for Negotiation Participation and Emergency Measures

Public bus depot in Deokdong-dong, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The first bus strike since the implementation of the semi-public transportation system in Changwon City is looming, putting citizens' transportation at risk.

The Bus Union Council of Changwon City in Gyeongnam approved a strike action to halt 75% of buses on the 19th. As the first step toward a strike after the introduction of the semi-public bus system in Changwon, union demands have increased, but with the mayor of Changwon?the final negotiation counterpart?set to leave office ahead of the local elections, public anxiety is intensifying.

The union held a strike vote from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day, with drivers from seven companies including Daewoon Transportation, Public Transportation, Dongyang Transportation, Mine Bus, Shinyang Passenger, Jeil Transportation, and Changwon Bus participating in the vote.

According to the union, out of a total of 1,234 members, 1,044 voted in favor of the strike, 28 opposed, 1 ballot was invalid, and 161 did not participate in the vote.

The council reported that 84.6% agreed to the strike action and plans to suspend bus operations if no agreement is reached with management at the second mediation meeting of the Gyeongnam Labor Commission scheduled for the 25th.

The first mediation meeting will be held on the 21st at the Gyeongnam Labor Commission, and if no agreement is reached, bus operations are planned to stop from the first run on the 26th, the expiration date of the mediation request.

Among the nine bus companies in Changwon City, Machang Passenger and Jinhae Passenger, which are negotiating individually, will not participate in this strike.

Not only in Changwon but also buses in local governments implementing the semi-public transportation system nationwide, led by the National Automobile Workers' Union Federation, have announced a general strike on the 26th.

Due to the local election political climate, a settlement seems unlikely. Public transportation in 10 regions including Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Chungbuk, and Gyeongnam is facing an emergency.

The union demands include ▲ an 11.3% wage increase based on hourly wages by years of service ▲ a 39,000 KRW increase in fitness training allowance ▲ a 20,000 KRW increase in accident-free allowance ▲ introduction of meal ticket system to improve bus drivers' working conditions, but management considers these demands excessive.

A Changwon City official said, “We are participating in negotiations between labor and management to minimize inconvenience to citizens and improve the treatment of transportation workers by listening to both sides' opinions,” adding, “We plan to prepare emergency transportation measures by deploying 150 tourist buses, 10 public buses, and 300 taxis in preparation for the strike.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.