Seoul's subway union threatens walkout from next month

The labor union of Seoul Metro, the operator of the capital’s subways, announced a strike for next month, demanding the company withdraw its plans to lay off workers.

Members of Seoul Metro's labor union protest against the subway operator's plan to reduce workforce in front of Seoul City Hall in central Seoul on Wednesday. The unionized workers announced they would strike on Nov. 9 if Seoul Metro refuses to withdraw its plan. [YONHAP]

The labor union of Seoul Metro, the operator of the capital’s subways, announced a strike for next month, demanding the company withdraw its plans to lay off workers.

“We will stage a walkout on Nov. 9 if Seoul Metro does not withdraw its workforce reduction plan,” the union said in a press conference held in front of the Seoul City Hall in downtown Seoul on Wednesday morning.

“Seoul's city government and the Seoul Metro’s plans to lay off employees will ultimately threaten the safety of the people and laborers and reduce the quality of public services.”

The labor union, comprised of members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and Federation of Trade Unions, had earlier expressed its objection to Seoul Metro’s plan to reduce its employees by 13.5 percent, or 2,212 people, by 2026.

The labor union claims 771 more employees should be hired to ensure safety.

The union’s plan came after it completed a vote from Thursday to Monday on whether to strike. Over 73 percent voted for the walkout.

The workers and Seoul Metro conducted 10 rounds of negotiations over the conflict since July 11 but failed to reach an agreement.

Seoul Metro’s plan to cut employees comes as the subway operator faces a lingering deficit, largely contributing to the subway fare hike this month.

Subway fares in Seoul rose by 150 won ($0.11) to 1,400 won on Oct. 7, marking the first hike in about eight years.

However, according to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, this is far below the transportation cost of 2,000 won per person.

“Seoul subway has been seeing a loss of some 1 trillion won a year since the pandemic, and free rides account for 30 percent of the loss,” Oh wrote on his Facebook page in January, adding that up to 60 percent of rides were free before the pandemic.

The city’s subway operator experienced net losses of 1.12 trillion won in 2020, 964.4 billion won in 2021, and 642 billion won last year.

The accumulated debt of Seoul subways hit 17.7 trillion won in 2022.

According to the labor union, subways will still operate in the city even if they stage a walkout.

Subways running along line No. 1 will operate at 53.5 percent. while subway lines No. 5 to 8 will operate at 79.8 percent.

Seoul Metro operates subway lines No. 1 to 8 and part of line No. 9 in the city.

During public holidays, subway lines No. 1 to 8 will operate at less than half of the normal level.

Seoul Metro signed an agreement with the labor representatives last month to allow emergency workers to get around if a disaster occurs during a strike.

If the labor union stages a strike as announced next month, it will mark the second straight year in which the union has walked out.

The union held its first strike in six years on Nov. 30 of last year. The strike lasted only a day due to safety concerns as subway platforms became overcrowded.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]