Incheon city bus labor and management reach wage agreement, normal service resumes without a strike

[Financial News Incheon=Han Gap-su Reporter] After lengthy negotiations, labor and management in Incheon’s city bus sector reached a final wage and collective bargaining agreement, and the feared strike was called off. City buses have resumed normal service.
Incheon Metropolitan City Government said on the 26th that labor and management in the city bus sector reached a final agreement at a mediation meeting of the Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission.
The two sides began voluntary talks with an initial meeting on Jan. 8 and held 11 rounds of negotiations, but failed to narrow their differences. They then applied for mediation with the Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission. After five mediation sessions and several informal consultations, they finally found common ground on key issues.
The talks were concluded after more than 14 hours of discussion. The main points of the agreement include a 4.5% increase in the base hourly wage, a 15,000 won increase in the accident-free allowance to 180,000 won from 165,000 won, and the elimination of wage gaps for contract workers between city buses and intercity buses.
With the agreement reached, residents can now use city buses as usual without any separate transportation disruption. Public transit operations, including during rush hours, have also remained normal.
The city said the settlement was the result of continued dialogue and mediation based on a shared understanding among labor, management, and the government that public inconvenience should be minimized. It also noted that the parties reached a smooth agreement by approaching the talks with mutual understanding and concessions, even as the possibility of a strike had been raised.
The agreement is expected to have a positive impact on improving working conditions and employment stability for bus drivers. In addition to the higher base hourly wage and accident-free allowance, the narrowing of wage gaps for contract workers between city buses and intercity buses is expected to help improve working conditions and lay the groundwork for stable city bus operations.
The city said it will continue to prioritize guaranteeing residents' mobility rights and providing stable public transportation services, while maintaining cooperation and communication among labor, management, and the government.
Park Seong-soon, director of the Transportation Policy Bureau, said, "This wage and collective bargaining settlement is the result of efforts by labor, management, and the government to minimize inconvenience for residents and maintain stable city bus operations." He added, "We will continue to cooperate to further strengthen the stability and public nature of public transportation services."
[email protected] Han Gap-su Reporter