The union representing workers at Seoul Metro, which operates subway lines 1 through 8, has dramatically withdrawn its planned strike.
This development comes after labor and management reached an agreement on key issues, including wage increases and staffing levels.
According to Seoul Metro, around 2 a.m. that day, the company's primary labor union and management finalized their collective wage bargaining agreement.
The two sides had been locked in negotiations since 4:10 p.m. the previous day, with talks repeatedly breaking off and resuming. The second union began its negotiations at 4:30 p.m., followed by the third union at 5 p.m.
Although negotiations were fraught with delays and challenges, both parties made concessions to break the deadlock. Consequently, the first and third labor unions called off the planned full-scale strike, ensuring normal subway operations.
This dramatic last-minute resolution was made possible through mutual compromise.
Regarding wages, the unions made significant concessions. Initially, the first union demanded a 6.6% increase, while the third union sought 7.1%. However, they ultimately accepted the management's offer of a 2.5% raise.
A union representative remarked, "The corporation has never fully adhered to the government's wage hike guidelines before, but this time, a 2.5% increase has been firmly guaranteed. While the rate is insufficient, we have decided to accept it."
The two sides also reached an agreement on staffing issues.
The first union had demanded the withdrawal of a restructuring plan that aimed to cut more than 10% of the workforce—around 2,000 employees—by 2026, along with the normalization of staffing levels. In the final negotiations, management proposed adding 630 staff members, which the union accepted.
Additionally, management conceded on the controversial plan to implement a one-person operation system for Line 2 trains. During the final talks, management proposed canceling the system's introduction, citing safety concerns for both workers and passengers, a proposal the union agreed to.
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