Seoul bus operators keep ‘no work, no pay' rule during drivers' strike
The Seoul Bus Transport Association, which represents Seoul-based bus operators, announced Tuesday that it will maintain the 'no work, no pay' principle for the upcoming nationwide strike on May 28.
While apologizing for the deadlocked wage talks between the unionized bus drivers and management, the association insisted that it will take legal action against any attempt to obstruct voluntary bus operations during the bus drivers' strike.
'We will strictly adhere to the no-work, no pay principle stipulated by the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act. The association will take appropriate measures to ensure the rights of the drivers who decide not to participate in the strike as well,' said Kim Jung-hwan, chair of Seoul Bus Transport Association, during a press conference on Tuesday.
The no-work, no pay principle states that no payment can be made for workers on strike and the respective unions have to pay their striking workers.
Kim added that through cooperation with the police, Seoul Metropolitan Government and its 25 district offices, legal action will be taken against anyone who attempts to block bus operations or prevent drivers from working voluntarily.
The association also emphasized that it will make considerable efforts to reach a mutually acceptable agreement with the unionized bus drivers.
'The association fully recognizes the drivers' (dissatisfaction with the) current compensation system. And we would like to discuss the extent of any additional increase based on the current salary. The claims about a wage freeze or a reduction in salaries are unfounded,' the chair explained.
However, the Korean Automobile and Transport Workers' Federation previously argued that the regular bonuses and allowances, which are closely related to continued employment and the number of working days, need to be included in any new wage system.
As the Supreme Court of Korea revised the criteria and scope of base pay in a ruling made in December 2024, the union insisted that regular bonuses must be reflected in the new base pay and that the matter is not up for negotiation.
The Seoul Bus Transport Association, however, argued that the union's demand is unrealistic and unacceptable.
'If the union's demands are accepted, it will amount to an excessive wage increase of approximately 300 billion won ($215 million) per year. A sharp increase in the transportation budget would require either a reduction in the budget for the welfare policies designed for Seoul citizens or a significant fare hike,' Kim explained.
The association stated that the intent behind the court ruling was to make both the union and management build a future-oriented wage system, adding that wages are not determined by law, but through mutual agreement between labor and management.
The unionized bus drivers previously announced that they would approach negotiations with an open mind to minimize public inconvenience in early May. If no acceptable agreement is reached within the 15-day mediation period, a nationwide strike will begin with the first bus on May 28.
The union sent an official letter to the association to request two separate meetings for negotiation one on a day between Wednesday to Sunday, and one on May 27, according to the Seoul Bus Transport Association.
The association accepted the request and scheduled a meeting for this week. But the exact date for the negotiation is yet to be announced.
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