ULSAN — With one day left before a strike deadline set by Ulsan's city bus union, the Ulsan city government called on both labor and management to avoid a walkout and reach a compromise. The city activated emergency transport measures on the 27th, including the urgent deployment of 100 charter buses, in case a final labor dispute mediation session breaks down.
Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-wook told a news conference at the city hall press center on the 27th that it was unrealistic to expect additional support from the city through a strike. "The city has already gone to the last limit of what it can support, so I ask both sides to each take a step back so that citizens are not left without transportation," he said.
Kim stressed that the bus subsidy plan announced on the 25th — raising the share of operating losses covered by the city to 98% in 2026 and 100% in 2027 — is the maximum allowed under the city's finances and the law. "Neighboring Busan recently reached an amicable agreement on a 5% hourly wage increase reflecting inflation," he said. "Wages for Ulsan city bus workers are among the highest in the country, so I ask for a settlement at a level that meets citizens' expectations." He also urged bus operators to find forward-looking self-rescue measures, such as channeling operating revenue into unfunded severance pay reserves.
Earlier, the Ulsan regional bus union under the Federation of Korean Automobile and Transport Workers' Unions, covering six local companies, approved a strike proposal that day with 95.71% in favor. Labor and management have held seven rounds of talks since January, but the union's demands — a 9% hourly wage increase, an extension of the retirement age to 65 and resolution of unfunded severance pay — ran parallel to management's insistence on a 2% increase. The union plans to begin the strike from the first service on the 28th if no agreement is reached in final mediation at the Ulsan Regional Labor Relations Commission on the 27th.
If the strike goes ahead, 709 buses on 108 regular city routes will stop running entirely. Severe traffic disruption is expected given that Ulsan has no alternative rail network.
Seo Nam-gyo, Ulsan's vice mayor for administrative affairs, announced the emergency transport plan. The city has secured 100 charter buses in total — 50 from Ulsan, 30 from Busan and 20 from Gyeongju — and will concentrate them on 35 major commuter and long-distance routes, including the Onsan National Industrial Complex (routes 246, 518 and 725), Hyundai Heavy Industries (routes 112 and 142), KTX Ulsan Station (routes 5001 to 5005) and UNIST (route 713).
A total of 189 vehicles will operate normally, including 171 buses on 79 branch, village and community routes and four routes run by Sewon (routes 314, 1713, 1723 and 1733). The city will flexibly operate taxi rotation rules to concentrate dispatches during rush hours and will temporarily lift the car-free day system.
"Because of a shortage of available charter buses, there may be some difficulties in emergency transport, so citizens should be sure to check routes and times before boarding," Seo said. "We also ask companies and schools to actively cooperate by expanding commuter buses and adjusting commuting and school hours."
