The labor union of Seoul Metro, which operates subway lines 1–8 in Seoul, said it will go on a general strike on Dec. 12.
The No. 1 union at Seoul Metro, the Seoul Metro Labor Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), held a press conference in front of Seoul City Hall on the 25th and stated accordingly, calling to "stop the large-scale workforce reduction and resolve the unfair wage cuts."
The union will first hold a rally to pledge an all-out struggle on the 27th in front of City Hall. It will then begin work-to-rule starting on Dec. 1. Work-to-rule means working while following all rules to the letter. For example, trains would dwell for the maximum 30 seconds as stipulated. In this case, some train delays may occur.
The main issues between labor and management at Seoul Metro are ▲ wage increases ▲ restructuring ▲ the scale of new hiring.
The union is demanding the 3% public institution wage hike set by the government and argues that the Supreme Court ruling to include bonuses in ordinary wages must be followed.
Management, on the other hand, says it can raise wages by only 1.8% due to a lack of resources.
In addition, Seoul Metro argues it must push ahead with restructuring, including staffing cuts, to resolve chronic deficits.
The union counters that train crews' workloads are increasing and that new hiring should instead be expanded.
The union has already secured the right to strike and take other industrial action. The Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission issued a "suspension of mediation" decision for labor and management, and the strike ballot passed with 83.53% support.
Meanwhile, Seoul Metro is holding separate negotiations with three unions. The corporation has the No. 1 union, the No. 2 union Seoul Metro Integrated Union under the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, and the No. 3 union called the MZ union, the Seoul Metro Right Labor Union. The other unions besides the No. 1 union have also secured the right to strike.