Line 9 Union Reaches Agreement at 5 a.m., Withdraws Strike Plan
Lines 1-8 Unions Begin Negotiations from 1 p.m.
If No Deal Is Reached, General Strike to Start on the 12th
On December 11, one day before the scheduled general strike, the three unions representing Seoul Subway Lines 1 through 8 will enter last-minute negotiations. The union representing Seoul Metro Line 9, which had originally planned to strike starting this day, withdrew its strike plan after reaching a collective wage agreement.
According to both labor and management, the Seoul Metro Union, which is the primary union at Seoul Metro, will hold main negotiations with management at the headquarters in Seongdong-gu starting at 1:00 p.m. The second union, the Seoul Metro Integrated Union, will follow at 2:00 p.m., and the third union, the Right Union, will continue with negotiations at the same location from 3:00 p.m. in a 'relay' format.
Citizens are using the subway at Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Subway Line 5. The Seoul Metro Union announced a general strike on the 12th. Photo by Jo Yongjun
If negotiations between the three unions and management ultimately break down, a general strike is expected to begin simultaneously with the first train on December 12. Last year, a collective agreement was reached around 2:00 a.m., just about two hours before the scheduled strike. This year as well, intense negotiations are expected to continue until the early morning of the strike date.
The unions are demanding that management adhere to the 3% public institution wage increase rate set by the government this year. They also argue that safety conditions have deteriorated due to staff shortages, and insist that positions vacated by retirement, long-term absences, and new line requirements must be properly filled.
The Seoul Metro Line 9 Branch of the Public Transport Workers' Union, which is responsible for the section from Eonju Station to Seoul National Cemetery Station on Line 9, reached a tentative collective agreement at around 5:00 a.m. As a result, the general strike launch ceremony that was scheduled to be held near Seoul City Hall at 10:30 a.m. was canceled.
The Line 9 Branch stated, "The agreement includes language to implement previously agreed-upon staff increases." They also agreed to gradually raise wages to the same level as those on Lines 1 through 8.
Previously, the Line 9 Branch claimed, "Last year, we agreed with Seoul Metro to increase staff by more than 55 people, but nearly a year has passed and the promise has not been kept." In contrast, management responded, "We consulted with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to secure 55 additional staff, but ultimately, the number of staff increases agreed with the city was 15 in total," adding, "There was never an agreement between labor and management to confirm the staff increase at 55 people."
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has prepared emergency transportation measures in anticipation of a strike on Lines 1 through 8. Even in the event of a strike, the city plans to maintain subway operations by securing around 13,000 personnel-80% of normal staffing levels-including non-striking workers and employees from partner companies. To keep operations as close to normal as possible, Lines 1 through 8 will run at 100% capacity during morning rush hour, and maintain an overall operating rate of 88% during evening rush hour. In addition, Seoul city employees will be deployed to 31 major crowded stations to ensure on-site safety management.
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