SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - Subway workers could go on strike again later this month after all three labor unions at Seoul Metro voted in favor of a walkout amid stalled talks over planned job cuts and staffing levels.
According to sources at the subway operator on Friday, some 80 to 90 percent of members in each of its three separate labor unions voted in favor of collective action the previous day. A strike could begin as early as Nov. 20 if labor negotiations make no progress.
The main dispute stems from Seoul Metro's plan to cut some 2,212 jobs as part of its efforts to improve management efficiency. It has already reduced its workforce by 684, leaving another 1,528 positions under consideration.
The unions argue that further job cuts could undermine passenger safety by making it harder to maintain two-person teams for subway car operations. They are calling for the remaining cuts to be scrapped and some 1,313 workers to be hired by the end of this year.
However, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon appears determined to push ahead with the plan. Last month, he defended the proposed cuts, arguing that the merger of the two subway operators had resulted in overlapping positions and administrative functions that needed to be eliminated to improve efficiency.
According to sources at the subway operator on Friday, some 80 to 90 percent of members in each of its three separate labor unions voted in favor of collective action the previous day. A strike could begin as early as Nov. 20 if labor negotiations make no progress.
The main dispute stems from Seoul Metro's plan to cut some 2,212 jobs as part of its efforts to improve management efficiency. It has already reduced its workforce by 684, leaving another 1,528 positions under consideration.
The unions argue that further job cuts could undermine passenger safety by making it harder to maintain two-person teams for subway car operations. They are calling for the remaining cuts to be scrapped and some 1,313 workers to be hired by the end of this year.
However, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon appears determined to push ahead with the plan. Last month, he defended the proposed cuts, arguing that the merger of the two subway operators had resulted in overlapping positions and administrative functions that needed to be eliminated to improve efficiency.
Wages are another sticking point, with unions seeking a 3.5 percent pay raise along with more staff.
Last year, the unions called off a planned strike in December after reaching a last-minute deal, just hours before the massive strike was set to begin.
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