Seoul Metro Union Strike Approved... Press Conference on the 18th

Approval with 73.4% by 3 Labor Unions

The labor union of Seoul Metro, which operates subway lines 1 to 8, has passed the 2023 strike vote conducted among its members. As a result, concerns have arisen that the operation of the Seoul subway may be disrupted due to the strike.

Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

According to the corporation on the 16th, the union's strike vote was approved with a 73.4% approval rate. The union conducted the strike vote from the 12th until 2 p.m. on the 16th.

The vote included participation from the Seoul Metro Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the Seoul Metro Integrated Union under the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), as well as a third union called 'Olbareun Nodongjoop' (Correct Labor Union).

Additionally, the final mediation meeting of the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission will be held on the 17th. If mediation fails, the union will obtain the right to strike. The union plans to hold a press conference on the 18th to announce its full strike action policy.

Previously, the corporation and the joint bargaining group held a total of 10 negotiation sessions since July 11, but ultimately failed to reach an agreement.

Even if a strike occurs, the subway will not come to a complete halt. Since the essential maintenance work system was introduced in 2008, the subway must maintain a minimum workforce of about 30% of the total staff during a union strike. Trains during rush hours will operate normally, and train operation rates during other times will be maintained at about 80-85% of the usual level.

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