Seoul subway workers vote for strike plan
The possibility of a strike became reality, as a majority of Seoul Metro union members voted for a general strike plan to counter staff cuts, the collective negotiation team announced Monday. As Seoul Metro operates Seoul Subway Line Nos. 1 to 8 and a portion of Line No. 9, tensions are rising over the possible inconvenience to commuters.
The collective negotiation team -- comprising representatives of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korean Public Trade Unions under the Federation of Korean Trade Unions – said that 73.4 percent of the workers approved the strike plan. The vote took place from Thursday to Monday.
Out of 14,049 union members, 11,386 people, or 81 percent, participated, with 8,356 in favor.
Seoul Metro and the collective negotiation team had conducted 10 rounds of negotiations since the initial round on July 11, but all discussions eventually collapsed. The negotiation team applied for mediation with the Seoul National Labor Relations Commission on Oct. 4. The commission is to hold a mediation meeting Tuesday and suggest a compromise for both parties.
If the mediation meeting fails to reach an agreement, the collective negotiation team will hold a press conference warning of the possibility of a general strike at 10 a.m. on Wednesday in front of Seoul City Hall. A general meeting of union members to discuss the strike plan is scheduled for Thursday.
A workforce reduction plan is the major issue between the management and union. With Seoul Metro having suffered massive deficits for years, management contends it is inevitable to reduce manpower. The management proposed a plan to reduce 2,211 employees, or 13.5 percent of total workers, by 2026.
The labor union criticizes the management as passing responsibility for the deficit to workers, adding that excessive manpower reductions could directly lead to safety issues.
Earlier, the union held a general strike for the first time in six years against Seoul Metro's workforce reduction plan on Nov. 30, 2022.
The strike caused mass confusion, delaying trains on Seoul Subway Line No. 2 for 33 minutes. Police personnel were deployed to crowded stations to prevent possible accidents. Negotiations concluded a day after the strike as Seoul Metro promised not to conduct forced restructuring to overcome its financial crisis.
(责任编辑:직업)
下一篇:Celltrion partners with US pharmacy chain for Yuflyma sales
- ·Sunmi to return with new digital single ‘Stranger’
- ·임명직 마다한 장제원 의미심장 글 "발톱 숨기고 때 기다린다"
- ·“北, 무단철거 금강산 골프장서 옥수수 건조”
- ·TVXQ to release 9th LP on Dec. 26, marking 20th anniversary
- ·Show must go on: 28th Busan International Film Festival kicks off despite setbacks
- ·Japan's Honda beefs up lineup to revive sales in S. Korea
- ·박성중 "다음 中응원은 드루킹 시즌2…강서구 선거 안심 못해"
- ·Foreign workers' deaths get weak sanctions
- ·[Photo News] Housing solutions in Asia
- ·[Today’s K
- ·Kakao Bank to acquire 10% stake in Indonesian digital bank
- ·S. Korean diplomat discusses NK human rights with US envoy
- ·MBK chairman's novel 'Offerings' to hit big screen in Hollywood
- ·How college students are coping with the impact of inflation
- ·Taemin of SHINee to drop new EP 'Guilty' on Oct. 30
- ·US strategic bomber B
- ·YG's new girl group Babymonster to debut next month
- ·[Top Envoy] Russian satellite help not likely priority for North Korea: Chun
- ·Questions remain after passage of anonymous birth bill
- ·Performing Arts Market to link local artists to world
- ·Performing Arts Market to link local artists to world
- ·Biden says Hamas must be eliminated, US officials warn war could escalate
- ·Seoul shares end lower amid conflict in Middle East
- ·Satellite imagery highlights 'dramatic' increase in N. Korea
- ·[Photo News] Housing solutions in Asia
- ·Supporters of Israel hold rally in Seoul, urge Hamas to stop atrocities
- ·Satellite imagery highlights 'dramatic' increase in N. Korea