The labor union of Seoul Metro, which operates Seoul Subway Lines 1–8, will begin a "work-to-rule" on Dec. 1.
According to labor circles on the 30th, the No. 1 union, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Seoul Metro Labor Union, and the No. 2 union, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions Seoul Metro Integrated Union, will conduct a work-to-rule starting with the first train on Dec. 1.
Work-to-rule refers to measures such as fully securing station dwell time in the name of safe boarding and alighting, or refusing tasks outside the rules.
Seoul Metro has three unions in total, and members of the No. 1 and No. 2 unions account for 74% of all employees (11,613 people). As they move to a work-to-rule, train operations may be slower than usual. Congestion inside trains is expected to be high especially during commuting hours.
Seoul Metro labor and management held this year's wage and collective agreement talks over wage increases, restructuring, and the scale of new hires, but negotiations broke down as they failed to narrow differences. Mediation by the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission for all three affiliated unions was suspended, and as the agenda for industrial action was approved in a vote of union members, they have secured the right to strike.
The No. 1 and No. 3 unions plan to launch a general strike from Dec. 12 unless Seoul Metro management and the Seoul Metropolitan Government present a more advanced proposal. The No. 2 union is also discussing the timing of a general strike.