Work-to-Rule Action Begins on the 1st, General Strike Planned for the 12th
Seoul Metro: "No Unusual Incidents During Morning Commute"
The Seoul Subway Unions No. 1 and No. 2 began a work-to-rule protest on December 1. If the work-to-rule action continues until December 12, when a general strike has been announced, passengers may experience inconveniences such as train delays and overcrowding.
The Seoul Metro Labor Union (Union No. 1) and the Seoul Metro Integrated Labor Union (Union No. 2) stated that they launched the work-to-rule protest starting on this day in response to the breakdown of wage and collective bargaining negotiations. The work-to-rule action involves refusing to perform tasks that are not stipulated in regulations and ensuring sufficient stopping time for safe boarding and disembarking. Specifically, the measures include: ▲ refusing work instructions during break times ▲ adhering to two-person team inspections and tasks ▲ refusing special tasks outside of regular inspections and maintenance.
On the morning of December 1, Seoul Metro announced, "Due to the union's work-to-rule action, some trains on Lines 1 through 8 may experience delays." During last year’s work-to-rule protest, 125 trains were delayed by more than 20 minutes on the first day, and 27 trains on the second day. A Seoul Metro official said, "As of 8:30 a.m., there have been no significant incidents such as train delays."
The main issues in the wage and collective bargaining negotiations between Seoul Metro management and the unions are wages and staffing. The unions are demanding that Seoul Metro comply with the government’s public institution wage increase rate of 3%. However, the company maintains that due to a lack of financial resources, it can only offer a 1.8% increase. The wage increase rates proposed by the three unions are 5.2% for Union No. 1, 3.4% for Union No. 2, and 3.7% for Union No. 3. The unions also oppose Seoul Metro’s management reform plan, which includes workforce restructuring. Citing deteriorating safety conditions due to staff shortages, the unions argue that positions left vacant by retirement, long-term absences, and new line requirements must be filled as normal.
Union No. 1 has warned of a general strike on December 12 if Seoul Metro management and the Seoul Metropolitan Government do not present a more advanced negotiation proposal. Union No. 3, known as the "Right Union" and associated with Millennials & Gen Z, has also announced a general strike for the same day. Union No. 2 is currently coordinating its strike schedule for this month.
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