Gwangju City Bus Union: "Operating Deficits Are Management's Responsibility, Do Not Shift Blame to Workers"

On the morning of the 5th, when the Gwangju city bus union began a full strike, citizens are waiting for buses at a bus stop in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

The Gwangju city bus union, which has gone on strike for the first time in 11 years due to conflicts over wage and collective bargaining negotiations, condemned the situation by stating, "The responsibility for operating deficits lies with the management and the Gwangju city government. Do not shift the blame onto the workers."

The Gwangju Regional Bus Workers' Union of the Korean Automobile & Transport Workers' Federation held a resolution rally in front of Gwangju City Hall on the 5th, declaring, "Right now, Gwangju bus transportation workers are suffering alone in deep darkness." They further stated, "Overtime work due to insufficient staffing is forced as if it is a matter of course, rest time is severely lacking, and wages are the lowest in the country."

They appealed, "Do not ignore our tears hidden behind the values of citizens' safety and convenience. While we will not stop striving to provide better service, this must not come at the cost of our dedication and sacrifice."

They continued, "The operating deficit of city buses is not the fault of the workers." They argued, "The deficit has been exacerbated by the implementation of free rides as part of transportation welfare, the allowance of rural bus entry from neighboring cities and counties, and the indiscriminate approval of village buses."

Additionally, they emphasized, "We have held six rounds of negotiations with management and three special negotiations with the local labor commission, but both Gwangju City and management keep repeating only the word 'freeze.' Since there were no alternatives or willingness to negotiate until the final mediation deadline, we will use every possible means to achieve our demands."

The union went on strike starting with the first bus of the day after negotiations broke down at the third wage and collective bargaining mediation meeting, which was held the previous day under the arbitration of the Jeonnam Regional Labor Commission.

The union is demanding an 8.2% annual salary increase (340,000 won per month for step 4 employees) and an extension of the retirement age to 65, arguing that wages should be aligned with the living wage of urban workers. However, management maintains its position of a wage freeze, citing operating deficits, and the two sides have been unable to narrow their differences.

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