Unionized Seoul subway workers to launch full-scale strike Dec. 6

Unionized Seoul subway workers said Tuesday they will go on a full-scale strike on Dec. 6 in demand of increases in wages and new staff hiring.

The walkout plan was announced in a news conference by the biggest of the three labor unions of Seoul Metro, the operator of subway lines 1-8, in front of Seoul City Hall.

The strike, if realized, will be staged for the third year in a row.

Concerns about massive railway service disruptions are rising further, as the Korean Railway Workers' Union in charge of subway operations in the capital area and national train services have also threatened an indefinite general strike early next month.

The Seoul Metro union, which represents 60 percent of the workforce, said its members will launch a labor slowdown and work-to-rule protests Wednesday as part of the general strike plan.

According to company officials, the main disputed issues are wage and hiring increases. The company offered a pay raise of 2.5 percent, but the labor union has demanded a higher increase. (Yonhap)

Source : https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/11/113_386638.html

Comprehension

When is the planned full-scale strike by Seoul subway workers scheduled to begin?
How many years in a row will this strike be if it occurs?
What is the primary labor union representing Seoul Metro workers demanding?
What percentage of the Seoul Metro workforce does the main labor union represent?
What actions are the union members planning to take ahead of the general strike?
What wage increase has the company offered, and why is it being disputed?
What other group has also threatened an indefinite general strike next month?

Discussion

How might a subway strike impact daily life and the economy in Seoul?
What could be the long-term effects of recurring strikes on public perception of subway workers?
Should wage increases and hiring demands be prioritized, or should companies focus on financial stability? Why?
How can the government or Seoul Metro address these labor disputes to avoid future strikes?
What are the pros and cons of a "work-to-rule" protest compared to a full-scale strike?
Do you think public sector strikes are justified, considering their impact on essential services? Why or why not?
How could this strike influence negotiations in other industries facing similar labor disputes?
What strategies might passengers use to cope with disruptions caused by a subway strike?
How can technology or infrastructure improvements help mitigate the effects of such strikes in the future?
How do you think strikes like this influence labor movements globally?

Vocabulary

Unionized - organized into or working as part of a labor union.
Strike - a refusal to work as a form of protest.
Labor slowdown - a form of protest where workers deliberately reduce their productivity.
Work-to-rule - a protest where employees strictly follow workplace rules to slow operations.
General strike - a strike involving multiple unions or sectors, often on a large scale.
Operator - an organization or person managing a service or system.
Disruption - disturbance or interruption of normal activities.
Indefinite - without a set end or limit.
Workforce - the employees of a company or industry.
Negotiation - discussion aimed at reaching an agreement