By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Union members of Seoul Metro decided Friday to go on strike from Sept. 26 to protest a management plan to layoff 20 percent of its workers.

The decision comes after nine months of negotiations between the operator of subway lines 1 to 4 and its employees failed to narrow their differences on the layoff plan. Additionally, the company has started to outsource workers for three of its lost-and-found bureaus as part of a streamlining project, which has infuriated unionists.

The union said that among 9,306 members, 8,398 showed up to vote and 74 percent agreed on the walkout.

However, management said the strike will not cause any huge inconvenience as it has already made preparations by outsourcing temporary workers, adding that it is technically illegal for the unionists to go on a full-scale strike under current laws.

By law, unionists should maintain operations at 100 percent during commuting hours; 65.7 percent on weekdays; and 50 percent on holidays during a strike as their work is related to the public interest.

Management also said it would take strong measures if the union insists on illegal collective action.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr