Ulsan Mayor Urges Bus Union to Avoid Strike, Promises Support

Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-wook has urged the city's bus union to avoid a strike, emphasizing that dialogue is crucial and that a work stoppage would only inconvenience citizens and harm both labor and management. Speaking at a press conference, the mayor acknowledged the difficulties faced by bus workers regarding wages and working conditions. He also offered a sincere apology on behalf of the city for not adequately addressing the urgent concerns of these workers over the past decade.

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A strike will only leave citizens inconvenienced and both labor and management suffering losses. I earnestly ask both sides to compromise a little so that the citizens' feet do not stop moving.

The mayor stated that the city has already committed to providing the maximum financial support legally permissible for city buses, indicating that no additional support can be gained through a strike. He described a strike as a fruitless decision that burdens everyone, with citizens ultimately bearing the brunt of the inconvenience. Ulsan has proposed a financial aid package that includes 1.5 billion won this year and an additional 4.5 billion won annually from next year to cover virtually all operational losses. This plan also aims to resolve 81.3 billion won in accumulated retirement pay deficits over 13 years, even considering a 5% annual increase in base wages.

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We are well aware of the difficulties bus workers face regarding wages, working conditions, employment, and retirement pay. On behalf of the city, I sincerely apologize for not adequately addressing the urgent voices and difficulties of the city bus workers over the past 10 years.

However, the union's response has been firm. On the same day the city announced its support plan, the union held a strike vote where 95.7% of the 1,491 participating members voted in favor of striking. The union issued a statement demanding immediate, concrete, and reliable financial support, rather than conditional promises, and criticizing the city for evading responsibility by citing legal frameworks. The Ulsan Bus Transportation Business Association and the Ulsan Bus Union have been in wage negotiations since January 27 without reaching an agreement. The Ulsan Regional Labor Relations Commission is scheduled to hold a third mediation meeting, and if no agreement is reached, the union plans to begin its strike on the morning of August 28, affecting 108 routes and 709 buses. While 189 smaller buses will continue to operate, the city is preparing contingency measures, including deploying 100 charter buses and temporarily lifting the car-pooling system.

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Our city has already promised maximum financial support for city buses within the limits allowed by law. There is realistically no additional support that can be obtained through a strike. A strike is a futile decision that only burdens everyone, and the damage and inconvenience will fall upon the citizens.