Woo Hyeong-chan, Chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee, Welcomes Dramatic Resolution of Seoul Transportation Corporation Labor-Management Negotiations

Construction and strike averted with 6 hours to go through dramatic labor-management agreement; all subway lines operating normally... Agreement on maintaining last year's wage levels, improving wage peak system, and workforce reinforcement

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Woo Hyung-chan, Chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee (Democratic Party, Yangcheon 3), welcomed the dramatic resolution of the 2021 wage collective bargaining between Seoul Metro and the labor union around 11:40 PM on the 13th, stating that all Seoul subway lines will operate normally without disruption on the 14th.

During the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission mediation meeting that began on July 29, the labor and management sides initially failed to narrow their differences by the mediation deadline. However, they continued additional negotiations without letting their guard down until the last moment, ultimately reaching a dramatic agreement about six hours before the planned strike. The agreement maintained the previous year's wage levels, improved the wage peak system, secured additional staffing, and preserved working conditions.

According to the agreement, the previously contentious large-scale workforce reductions and restructuring plans were addressed by ensuring that no wage cuts or forced restructuring would occur due to the financial crisis. A joint labor-management consultative body will be formed to discuss measures for strengthening safety and improving financial conditions to normalize management.

Chair Woo Hyung-chan of the Transportation Committee expressed gratitude to both labor and management of Seoul Metro for prioritizing citizen convenience, stepping back to reach a consensus, and stated, “Going forward, the labor and management of Seoul Metro and the Seoul Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee will work together to provide citizens with safer and more convenient subway services.”

He also said, “I deeply thank the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Korail, other metropolitan subway operators, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, related organizations, and autonomous districts for actively preparing emergency transportation measures in response to the potential Seoul Metro strike.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.