Seoul bus drivers strike over pay, snarling commute in South Korean capital

28/3/2024 12:27

        Bus drivers in the South Korean capital of Seoul went on strike on Thursday after last ditch efforts at negotiating a wage hike broke down, snarling the commute for the city of more than 9 million people and another million from the outskirts.
        
        With disruptions expected during rush hours, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said the subway will run for extended hours with additional trains put into service.
        
        The city's 25 districts will also provide 480 shuttle buses to carry commuters to subway stations.
        
        The full scale strike by the city's bus drivers is the first in 12 years. Their last strike lasted for around 20 minutes.
        
        Yonhap reported, the negotiations between the Seoul Bus Labor Union, which represents drivers serving 97% of bus operations, and their employers failed after the union demand for a 12.7% hike in hourly wages was dismissed as "excessive."
        
        The Yonhap news agency reported, commuters in Seoul were left bewildered on Thursday morning, with some not being aware of the strike after the talks broke down before dawn.