Seoul Metro, Salary Cuts for December for Strike Participants

"Principle of Attachment for Illegal Acts"

The Seoul Metro Union, which operates lines 1 to 8 of the Seoul Subway, has announced a second strike scheduled for the 22nd of this month. In response, the Seoul Metro Corporation stated on the 16th that it plans to take a strict stance by applying the principle of no work, no pay to all strike participants and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal activities.

The Seoul Metro Union under the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) held a press conference for the second general strike in front of Seoul City Hall on the 15th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

First, the corporation decided to deduct approximately 700 million KRW from the December salaries of 4,470 members of Union 1 who participated in the first strike. The same principle will be strictly applied to all participants if the second strike occurs, enforcing no work, no pay without exception.

The corporation also explained that it withheld wages amounting to 360 million KRW from 2,763 participants of a one-day strike on November 30 last year. Union 1 conducted a limited warning strike on the 9th and 10th and has announced an indefinite strike starting on the 22nd.

To minimize inconvenience to citizens caused by the second strike, the corporation will also operate an emergency response headquarters for strike preparedness. The corporation will secure essential maintenance tasks and substitute personnel to operate at 83% of the usual workforce on weekdays, maintaining 100% train operation during weekday morning rush hours (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.). During the evening rush hours (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.), seven standby trains will be on alert, and five temporary trains (three inner loop and two outer loop) will be added on Line 2, which experiences high congestion. However, train operation rates will inevitably be reduced during off-peak hours such as daytime.

Baekho, President of Seoul Metro Corporation, stated, "We will apply the no work, no pay principle without exception during the strike period for the unilateral strike by Union 1, which lacks support from internal employees, in accordance with laws and principles," adding, "We will strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy and take stern measures against illegal acts such as train operation obstruction or delays." He continued, "We will continue to engage in dialogue with the labor union to do our best to prevent inconvenience to citizens."

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