Seoul Bus Union: "Decision by 9 PM"... 7.85% Wage Increase Negotiable

[Financial News] The Seoul city bus union has effectively set the deadline for wage and collective bargaining negotiations at 9 p.m. on the 15th. While the union stated it is open to negotiations regarding the demand for a 7.85% increase in base pay, it maintained its stance that the standard working hours for calculating ordinary wages—the biggest point of contention—must be applied at 176 hours per month. If an agreement is not reached during mediation on this day, the union will launch an all-out strike starting with the first bus on the 16th. Yoo Jae-ho, deputy secretary of the Seoul City Bus Labor Union, held a briefing at the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission this afternoon and stated, "Whether a settlement is reached or not, a decision must be made by around 9 p.m.," adding, "If there is a constructive alternative, we will continue negotiations until 9 p.m."
The union maintains that its demand for a 7.85% wage increase is not a fixed negotiation proposal. Deputy Secretary Yoo stated, "We are not insisting on a 7.85% wage increase," adding, "If we recognize 176 hours as the standard for calculating ordinary wages and discuss the matter while taking into account this year's and next year's wage negotiations, we can reach an agreement by making concessions based on objective criteria."
He explained that 7.85% is the union's initial proposal considering inflation rates, and that negotiations are possible within the range of 0 to 7.85%. He emphasized, "There are places in other regions that have raised wages by more than 5%, so we can narrow the gap based on that," adding, "It is not that we are going on strike because we cannot lower it by even 0.1%."
However, they did not back down on the standard hours for calculating ordinary wages, which is the biggest point of contention. The union argues that 176 hours per month should be applied in accordance with court rulings. On the other hand, management maintains the position that 209 hours per month should be applied first, and then retroactive settlement should be made based on the ruling once a different standard is determined in the ongoing lawsuit regarding ordinary wages.
The union also refuted the management's claim that bus drivers' annual salaries would rise to 85 million won if all demands were accepted. According to the union, the annual salary for bus drivers this year is approximately 59 million won, with a monthly salary of around 4.9 million won. Deputy Secretary Yoo stated, "The 85 million won figure is a theoretical estimate based on the assumption that drivers work overtime on Saturdays and holidays," and argued that the actual number of workers receiving that salary and their working hours must also be presented.
The union and management—the Seoul City Bus Transportation Business Association—held a second mediation meeting at the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission at 2 p.m. today and entered into final negotiations. If negotiations fail today, the union plans to proceed with an all-out strike starting with the first bus on the 16th as scheduled.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has prepared emergency transportation measures in anticipation of the strike, including deploying up to 1,500 free shuttle buses and increasing subway services by 202 daily runs. During the strike period, the last subway train is scheduled to operate until 2:00 a.m. the following day, based on the terminal station.

[email protected] Seongchorong Reporter