Seoul subway goes on strike

Chaos expected to ensue during rush hours caused by drop in operating trains operating. Seoul city government plans to minimize damage with temporary workers and alternative public transportation.

Subway stations parked at Seoul Metro’s headquarters in Seongdong District, Seoul, on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

The Seoul subway labor union has decided to stage a strike on Thursday, following the breakdown of negotiations with the operator.

This marks the second consecutive year in which the labor union has opted for industrial action.

In response, the Seoul city government announced a contingency plan to minimize the inconvenient caused by the walkout including setting up an emergency headquarters.

Under the plan, a group of temporary workers of approximately 13,500 will be deployed to prevent chaos during rush hours.

The group consists of employees that are not participating in the strike and help from other agencies. to prevent chaos from ensuing during rush hours.

Additionally, 124 Seoul city government employees will be stationed at subway stations as support.

During the morning rush hours, all eight subway lines in Seoul will strive to maintain their usual 100 percent operation.

However, during the evening hours when commuters leave work, the train service will operate at 87.2 percent of its standard capacity.

The city government has also indicated its intention to expand alternative public transportation options, such as buses, to accommodate affected commuters.

Prior to the strike, the Seoul Metro and the labor union have agreed to maintain a minimum number of staff members to continue operating the trains.

Without the additional workforce deployed by the city government, subway operations is estimated to significant drop between 50 and 80 percent, resulting in considerable delays and overcrowded trains.

In the previous year, the labor union withdrew their strike a day after widespread commuter complaints and frustration over the inconvenience caused.

The negotiations between Seoul Metro and the labor unions, which included the hardline militant Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Trade Unions, took place for the final time on Wednesday. This marked the tenth negotiation session since July.

Among the key demands made by the labor unions was for the company to abandon its plan to downsize its workforce by 13.5 percent, equivalent to 2,212 employees, by the year 2026.

The subway operator has been grappling with substantial financial losses due to low transportation fees and providing free rides for the elderly population.

In 2020, Seoul Metro reported a net loss exceeding 1 trillion won, which slightly improved to 964 trillion won in 2021 and further reduced to 64.2 trillion won last year.

However, the labor unions argue that reducing the workforce will compromise passenger safety and the quality of public service. The labor union's demand also includes the hiring of an additional 780 employees by Seoul Metro.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]