Seoul: 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 announced that the union will initiate its collective action early Wednesday, and the city will implement "special steps" to minimize public inconvenience.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the work-to-rule protest involves bus drivers strictly adhering to safety measures such as not overtaking other vehicles and ensuring passengers are seated before departing stops. These actions are anticipated to slow down bus operations. The protest follows a breakdown in wage negotiations between the union and management last week, leading to a one-day work-to-rule protest on Wednesday. However, during the Saturday-Tuesday long weekend, which included Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday on Monday, full services were maintained.

To mitigate potential disruptions in bus services, Seoul plans to extend the usual morning rush hour for subway services by one hour, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., during which 47 additional trains will be operational. The city government will also deploy civil servants to major bus stops in the capital to monitor for any unnecessary or intentional delays by unionized drivers.

While the management considers the union's decision a form of strike, the union contends that following traffic regulations does not qualify as striking. The union is demanding an 8.2 percent increase in base pay and an increase in the retirement age from 63 to 65. In contrast, the management is advocating for lowering the standard wage by reforming the wage system.

The two parties have not returned to negotiations since the last round fell through early last Wednesday, despite having some internal discussions over the weekend to find a resolution. The union is expected to finalize plans for a full-on strike by Thursday if their demands are not met.