photo source, News1
Due to the Seoul subway strike, the subway operation rate is expected to drop to 70-80% when commuting hours are excluded.
On the 30th, the labor union of the Seoul Transportation Corporation, which operates Seoul subway lines 1-8 and some sections of line 9 (Sinnonhyeon-Central Veterans Hospital), went on a general strike.
The day before, the union negotiating group consisting of the Seoul Transportation Corporation union (the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions) and the Seoul Transportation Corporation integrated union (the Korean Federation of Trade Unions) and the management entered into negotiations, but ultimately broke down.
Will it affect my commute?
The Seoul Transportation Corporation announced that it would take measures to ensure that subway operation is not affected during rush hour (7:00 am to 9:00 am) by introducing replacement personnel.
Subway service continues as usual from 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the next day.
However, the subway operation rate will decrease to 70-80% compared to normal at other times, including the rush hour.
The normal time-of-hours operation rate by route announced by the corporation is ▲Line 1 94.9% ▲Line 2 Main Line 74.3% Seongsuji Line 76.6% Sinjeongji Line 75.9% ▲Line 3 60.3% ▲Line 4 60.3% ▲Line 5 80.6% ▲Line 6 79.8 % ▲Line 7 80.2% ▲Line 8 79.8% level.
Why do we talk regarding strikes every year?
The main issue of the Seoul subway strike is the reduction of personnel due to the chronic deficit.
Last year, Seoul Transportation Corporation recorded a net loss (loss) of regarding 964.4 billion won. In 2020, it was 1.1137 trillion won, 586.5 billion won in 2019, and 538.9 billion won in 2018.
According to the National Statistical Office, as of last year, Seoul Metro’s fare loss per passenger was 1,005 won. This means that every time a passenger uses the subway, 1,005 won is lost.
The corporation has established a plan to reduce regarding 1,500 people, equivalent to 10% of its workforce, by 2026 to address its financial deterioration.
It is the first time in six years since September 2016 that the union of the Seoul Transportation Corporation went on strike.
Last year, the union protested once morest restructuring and announced a strike, but the last-minute negotiations were successful. At the time, it was reported that the labor and management agreed that there would be no forced restructuring due to the financial crisis.
In addition, the union demanded improvement of the wage peak system and staffing in 2019 and reduction of flight attendants’ driving hours in 2020, but negotiations were successful and did not lead to a strike.
photo source, News1
Last September, many mourners visited the scene of the stalking and murder at Sindang Station.
‘Reducing manpower while demanding safety is a contradiction’
The union points out that it is contradictory to demand a reduction in manpower at a time when the safety of executives and passengers has become even more important due to a series of recent accidents.
The union said, “Since the October 29 disaster, the city of Seoul has hired workers from the head office to guide passengers as a safety measure for congested stations.” I can’t help but question it,” he said.
Last September, a female station employee from the Seoul Transportation Corporation was murdered by a former colleague who was stalking her while checking the toilets at Sindang Station on the Seoul subway alone.
The union is arguing that the government should compensate for the fare loss caused by free riding. According to the Elderly Welfare Act, seniors aged 65 and older can use the subway for free.
Last year, the number of people who used Seoul subway lines 1 to 8 for free was 205.74 million, and when converted into fares, the amount of loss exceeds 250 billion won.
Some say that subway fares, which have been frozen for six years, should be raised. General Seoul subway fares have been frozen for six years and are 1,250 won for transportation cards and 1,350 won for cash.
KORAIL also announces a strike… Concerns over ‘traffic disruption’ are growing
If the strike by the union of the Seoul Transportation Corporation is prolonged and Korea Railroad (Korail) joins the strike on the 2nd of next month, a ‘traffic chaos’ may occur.
Korail operates Line 1, Line 3 (Ilsan Line), and Line 4 (Ansan-Gwacheon Line) jointly with the Seoul Subway.
If strikes between the union of the Seoul Transportation Corporation and the Korea Railroad union occur at the same time, it is expected that the normal operating rate will drop to ▲ 55.2% for Line 1, 60.3% for Line 3, and 60.3% for Line 4.
