Seoul’s public bus drivers launched a “work-to-rule” protest Wednesday morning, marking the first time that the city’s bus union has taken such action instead of a full strike.
A "work-to-rule" action, also known as an "Italian strike" or "slowdown," is a form of industrial action in which employees strictly adhere to the rules of their job contract, doing only the minimum required. This can reduce productivity and disrupt operations, serving as a form of protest without a complete work stoppage.
Major chaos during the morning commute was avoided, but many passengers experienced longer wait times and mounting anxiety as delays increased.
Starting at 4 a.m., drivers began strictly following traffic laws and safety protocols — deliberately slowing operations as a form of protest against the breakdown in wage negotiations. The protest follows failed collective bargaining talks between labor and management over wages and working conditions.
At Seoul Station’s main transfer center, buses lined up early in the morning with signs in their windows reading, “Starting April 30, we are driving safely in accordance with city guidelines.” Drivers waited until all passengers were fully seated before cautiously pulling away, and were noticeably refraining from the usual rush to maintain schedules.
Bus arrival screens began showing gaps stretching to 20 minutes or more for routes that typically had nine-minute intervals during peak hours.
Reactions among commuters were mixed. Some expressed frustration. “Everyone has their struggles,” said a 33-year-old worker surnamed Chang, “but hitting rush hour affects all the ordinary people trying to get to work. That’s not fair.”
Others showed understanding. “This happens every year when wage talks stall,” said Lee, a 56-year-old. “If it’s necessary for better working conditions, we should tolerate the inconvenience.”
The Seoul Metropolitan Government issued emergency alerts asking citizens to use alternate transportation such as subways, and activated its emergency transport plan. Rush hour operations on major lines starting at 7 a.m. were extended by an hour to 10 a.m., adding 47 more trains.
The union is demanding an 8.2 percent increase in base salary, the elimination of pay disparities for equivalent work, and an extension of the retirement age from the current 63 to 65.
jychoi@heraldcorp.com
