Seoul Subway General Strike at a Crossroads... Last-Minute Negotiations Begin with Line 9

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The Seoul subway general strike has reached a critical juncture. The first, second, and third unions of Seoul Metro, which operate Lines 1 through 8, have completed preparations for a strike scheduled for the 12th, while the union representing some sections of Line 9 has announced a strike for the 11th. Both groups plan to proceed with the strike depending on the outcome of last-minute negotiations.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Seoul Metro Line 9 branch of the Public Transport Workers' Union and the first through third unions of Seoul Metro will each enter final wage and collective bargaining agreement negotiations with management on the 10th and 11th, respectively. Both the unions and management are currently reviewing the issues to be discussed at the negotiations, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government will also participate in a labor-management cooperation policy meeting hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor to monitor the negotiation process.

Some sections of Seoul Subway Line 9 are scheduled for a strike on the 11th. The union stated that if no agreement is reached with the construction company, they will proceed with the strike. Yonhap News

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The first, second, and third unions of Seoul Metro have already declared a general strike for the 12th and have been engaged in a work-to-rule campaign since the 1st of this month. After declaring the breakdown of this year’s wage and collective bargaining negotiations, they obtained a decision from the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission to suspend mediation and secured approval for industrial action through a union member vote.

The key issues in this year’s wage and collective bargaining negotiations are wages and recruitment. The unions are demanding a halt to restructuring, additional recruitment for safety positions, resolution of unfair wage cuts, and guarantees of labor safety. The largest of the Seoul Metro unions, the first union, stated, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government is pushing for large-scale restructuring affecting more than 2,200 employees under the pretext of management efficiency," and added, "Due to the city’s pressure, all new recruitment procedures have been completely suspended, and if this continues, the workforce and work gaps after retirements at the end of this year will become severe."

Regarding wage increases, the government has set this year’s public institution wage increase rate at 3%, but management claims that due to a lack of budget for labor costs, only a 1.8% increase is possible, effectively resulting in another year of wage regression. Management maintains, "Due to budget constraints, we can only raise wages by 1.8%." They also view staff reductions and restructuring as unavoidable measures to address the deficit.

The Seoul Metro Line 9 branch, which is responsible for phases 2 and 3 of Line 9 (from Eonju Station to Seoul National Cemetery Hospital Station), will hold negotiations with management on this day. The union has previously warned that if no agreement is reached, they will proceed with a strike on the 11th. The union side stated, "Even in recent meetings with management, our key demands regarding recruitment, welfare, and wages have not been reflected," indicating a high likelihood of negotiation breakdown.

The government is concerned about a 'worst-case transportation crisis' at the end of the year, as strikes have been announced not only for the Seoul subway but also for railways, city buses, and village buses in Seoul. In response, the Ministry of Employment and Labor has decided to meet with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and local employment and labor offices on this day to review labor-management issues at key workplaces and address contentious sites related to the revised union law.

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