An electronic panel at a bus stop in central Seoul notifies passengers of a "work-to-rule" protest by unionized bus drivers, April 30. (Yonhap)
An electronic panel at a bus stop in central Seoul notifies passengers of a "work-to-rule" protest by unionized bus drivers, April 30. (Yonhap)

Unionized bus drivers in Seoul will resume their "work-to-rule" protest this week following a long holiday weekend, city officials said Tuesday.

In a press release, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said the union will launch its collective action early Wednesday and the city will take "special steps" to minimize inconveniences to the public.

With the work-to-rule protest, bus drivers adhere to driving safety measures, including not overtaking other vehicles and waiting for passengers to find their seats before departing stops. These moves are expected to slow down bus operations.

After the wage talks between the union and the management side broke down last week, the unionized drivers staged a one-day work-to-rule protest on Wednesday. But they provided full services during the Saturday-Tuesday long weekend, which included Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday on Monday.

The union has demanded an 8.2 percent increase in base pay and raising the retirement age from 63 to 65, while the management has called for lowering the standard wage by reforming the wage system. (Yonhap)