Seoul Metro unions begin 'work-to-rule' protest over wage hike

The unions of Seoul Metro, the operator of subway lines 1-8, launched a slowdown protest on Monday after their wage hike negotiations fell through. The "work-to-rule" protest by two of Seoul Metro's three unions, which account for three-quarters of all employees, caused no major disruption to commuters, though there were minor train delays at some stations. Protest participants staged a fight for safety by securing more stop times than usual and refused to perform work that is not required by regulations. The company's Unions 1 and 2, which have 9,036 members and 2,577 members, respectively, took the collective action demanding a pay hike of 3 percent, suspension of manpower downsizing and expansion of new hiring. But the management has stuck to a wage increase of 1.8 percent, citing financial straits. Seoul Metro's Unions 1 and 3 have threatened to go on a general strike, beginning Dec. 12, if the management and the Seoul city government do not present a more advanced proposal, while Union 2 is reportedly discussing a general strike in the middle of this month. Union 3 has 1,988 membersWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times