Will Seoul Subway Stop After 6 Years...? Labor-Management Negotiations Fail in 22 Minutes

5th Main Negotiation Begins on 28th Afternoon
Recess After Confirming Differences on Restructuring
Union "Total Strike from 30th if Negotiations Fail"

Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Yeju] The labor and management of Seoul Metro, which operates the Seoul subway, began their 5th round of main negotiations on the 28th but suspended them after 22 minutes. Ultimately, the decisive moment is expected to come a day before the planned strike on the 30th.

At 5:08 PM that day, labor and management engaged in final negotiations at the main conference room of the headquarters in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.

The union once again demanded the withdrawal of the management's plan to reduce 1,539 personnel (10% of the total) by 2026. However, management maintained their previous stance, stating they could not present a different proposal.

The union requested a recess and set the negotiation deadline for 6 PM on the 29th. Management agreed to the recess and stated they would request the union to resume negotiations once opinions were consolidated. Accordingly, labor and management declared a recess at 5:30 PM.

The main issues in the labor-management negotiations are the restructuring plan and the expansion of safety personnel. The two major unions, the Seoul Metro Labor Union and the Integrated Union, formed a joint negotiation team and have been conducting wage collective bargaining with management since September 2022. The union demands an increase in personnel, citing a shortage so severe that it is difficult to comply with the 'two-person team' work regulation. They also urged Seoul City, which supports the corporation's finances, to actively mediate. Seoul City has stated that it is difficult to intervene in the labor-management negotiations.

If the negotiations ultimately break down, the union plans to launch a general strike starting on the 30th as announced. Should the union proceed with the general strike, it is expected that citizens will face increased inconvenience during commuting hours.

The operation rate of Line 1 is expected to drop to 53.5% on weekdays, with Line 2 at 72.9% (main line), Line 3 at 57.9%, Line 4 at 56.4%, and Lines 5 to 8 at 79.8%. On holidays, the operation rate will fall to 50%.

Seoul City has begun preparing emergency measures such as deploying additional personnel during commuting hours in anticipation of the strike.

Meanwhile, the last strike by the Seoul Metro Labor Union was in 2016.