Bus drivers in South Korean capital end strike after wage increase agreement

ANKARA

Bus drivers in the South Korean capital of Seoul ended an hours-long strike on Thursday after they reached a deal with their employers over a wage increase, local media reported.

The Seoul Bus Labor Union and their employers agreed to a 4.48% wage hike after negotiations, easing the commute for the city of more than 9 million people, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

The unions had originally demanded a 12.7% wage hike.

Public transport operations returned to normal as drivers immediately joined duties right after the deal was agreed.

Earlier in the day, drivers went on a general strike – the first in 12 years – resulting in a nearly 98% halt in bus services.

The Seoul city government increased subway operations for the morning and evening rush hours to mitigate the strike's impact and extended the subway operating hours from 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. local time.

The city's 25 district governments also provided emergency free shuttle services to move passengers speedily to subway stations.

ANKARA

Bus drivers in the South Korean capital of Seoul ended an hours-long strike on Thursday after they reached a deal with their employers over a wage increase, local media reported.

The Seoul Bus Labor Union and their employers agreed to a 4.48% wage hike after negotiations, easing the commute for the city of more than 9 million people, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

The unions had originally demanded a 12.7% wage hike.

Public transport operations returned to normal as drivers immediately joined duties right after the deal was agreed.

Earlier in the day, drivers went on a general strike – the first in 12 years – resulting in a nearly 98% halt in bus services.

The city's 25 district governments also provided emergency free shuttle services to move passengers speedily to subway stations.