Seoul City Bus Union to Strike from First Scheduled Run... Union to Wait Until Midnight

Second Mediation Meeting Fails; Strike to Proceed as Planned
Union Representatives Say They Will "Wait for Additional Proposals Until Midnight"

The Seoul City Bus Labor Union will begin a strike, halting bus operations starting with the first bus service at dawn on September 16. However, the union has stated that it will wait for any additional proposals from management until midnight, which marks the end of the legally mandated mediation period.

On this day, labor and management representatives of the Seoul City Bus Union held their second mediation meeting for industrial dispute arbitration at the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission in Yeongdeungpo District, beginning at 2 p.m.

As the Seoul City Bus Union voted in favor of a strike through a member ballot and a full strike is scheduled to begin on the 16th, on the morning of the 14th, a banner opposing the strike under the name of the Seoul City Bus Transport Business Association was displayed on a Seoul metropolitan bus operating to Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Huh Younghan

Despite eight hours of mediation, no agreement was reached, and the mediation ultimately broke down at around 10 p.m. The union plans to go on a general strike as scheduled, starting at 4 a.m. on September 16. However, the union negotiators have decided to remain at the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission until midnight to wait for any further proposals. Yoo Jaeho, Deputy Secretary General of the Seoul City Bus Labor Union, stated, "The legal mediation period expires at midnight. Since it is still before midnight, we are waiting."

In Seoul, approximately 7,000 buses have been operating across 390 routes serviced by 64 companies. In response to the city bus strike, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will activate emergency contingency plans starting tomorrow. The city is preparing to implement a range of emergency transportation measures, including: temporary suspension of roadside bus-only lanes, deployment of 1,500 free shuttle charter buses, increased subway frequency and extended last-train hours, and free use of the Seoul Bike ("Ddareungi") system.

First, the operation of free shuttle (charter) buses will be significantly expanded. Previously, shuttle buses operated only at the district (gu) level, but this time Seoul Metropolitan Government will directly deploy them on major arterial roads, greatly increasing commuter transportation capacity during peak hours.

The city also plans to double both the number of additional subway runs and the extension of last-train hours compared to previous emergency measures. Previously, emergency transport plans extended subway frequency and last-train hours by one hour each during rush hour, but this time both will be extended by two hours to secure maximum passenger capacity during peak periods. In addition, the city has strengthened public information by posting shuttle bus routes and schedules in advance on the Seoul Metropolitan Government website.

Furthermore, the city has already sent official notices to related institutions—including the Office of Education, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the Korea Federation of SMEs—requesting the adjustment of school start times for elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as the adoption of remote and flexible work arrangements for private companies.

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