Unionized bus drivers in Seoul stage 'work-to-rule' protest after wage talks break down

An electronic panel at a bus stop in central Seoul notifies passengers that unionized bus drivers in the capital are staging a "work-to-rule" protest, Wednesday. Yonhap

Unionized bus drivers in Seoul staged a one-day "work-to-rule" protest Wednesday after last-minute wage talks with management broke down.

The negotiations between the Seoul Bus Labor Union and representatives from their management fell apart at 2 a.m. after nine hours of talks, prompting the union to launch the collective action at 4 a.m.

Under the decision, bus drivers will fully take driving safety measures, such as not overtaking other vehicles — a move expected to slow down bus operations.

A union official said that the collective action will only take place Wednesday to minimize inconveniences to the public, adding that it plans to decide on further action on May 8 if it fails to reach an agreement by then.

The protest had initially sparked concerns of major delays to bus services in the capital but there were no significant disruptions other than longer waiting periods during rush hour in the morning.

The union has demanded an 8.2 percent increase in base pay and raising the retirement age from 63 to 65, while the management has called for lowering the standard wage by reforming the wage system.

A commission mediating the negotiations proposed freezing wages and postponing talks on the wage system reform, but both sides have reportedly rejected the proposal.

The union's collective action falls short of the strike it staged last year when wage talks broke down.

If the two sides fail to reach an agreement before the May 8 deadline, the union could stage a full-on strike.