Oh Se-hoon Says, "We Will Work Until the End for a Reasonable Alternative for Bus Labor and Management"; Chairs Emergency Meeting Ahead of Strike

[Financial News] With Seoul city bus unions announcing plans to launch an all-out strike from the first bus service on the 16th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, "Seoul Metropolitan Government will make every effort until the last moment to help the city bus labor and management reach a reasonable alternative." Seoul Metropolitan Government has begun preparing emergency transportation measures, including deploying chartered buses on major arterial roads and increasing subway service. Seoul Metropolitan Government said it held an emergency situation review meeting on the morning of the 15th, chaired by Mayor Oh, to prepare for a city bus strike and review emergency transportation measures to protect residents' right to mobility. In his opening remarks before the meeting, Oh emphasized, "We will thoroughly prepare emergency transportation measures, including deploying shuttle buses and increasing subway service in case of an emergency." 
Seoul city bus unions have stated that they will launch an all-out strike if wage negotiations are not concluded by the end of the day. The unions are demanding an approximately 16% increase in ordinary wages, along with a 7.85% increase in base pay.
If labor-management negotiations break down, Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to substantially expand free shuttle bus services and maximize transportation capacity during commuting hours by increasing subway service and extending the last train schedule.
Previously, free shuttle buses operated within individual districts. This time, however, Seoul Metropolitan Government will directly operate chartered buses on major arterial roads across the city. The measure is intended to reduce gaps in bus service along major commuting routes.
Subway service will also be expanded. The number of trains operating during commuting hours will increase, and the extension of the last train schedule will be expanded from one hour under the existing emergency transportation measures to two hours. The plan aims to maximize subway capacity during periods of concentrated travel demand.
Flexible work arrangements will be implemented at Seoul Metropolitan Government and its affiliated public institutions. Seoul Metropolitan Government has also asked the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE), the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and the Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) to cooperate in adjusting school start times and encouraging private companies to adopt remote and flexible work arrangements. Guidance on alternative transportation options for foreign visitors to Seoul will also be strengthened.
Information related to the strike will also be expanded. Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to reduce confusion by providing advance information through its website and other channels on free shuttle bus routes and alternative transportation options.
Seoul city buses carry approximately 3.8 million passengers a day. With the possibility of another all-out strike emerging just eight months after the strike in January, Seoul Metropolitan Government is concerned that residents in areas with limited subway access and people with reduced mobility will face significant inconvenience.

[email protected] Seong Chorong Reporter