What are Seoul Metro Union 1’s demands in its dispute with management?

Union 1 wants the company to scrap its plan to cut 2,212 jobs and hire 1,313 additional workers this year to address staff shortages. It also seeks state funding for public services and a requirement that field work be done by two-person teams.

How many Seoul Metro union members voted to support the planned strike?

Union 1 reported that 6,715 of the 7,782 members who voted supported the strike plan, representing 86.3 percent of participating voters. Unions 2 and 3 also approved the plan, with 80.8 percent and 94.9 percent of their respective members voting in favor.

When do Seoul Metro unions plan to begin work-to-rule action and a general strike?

Union 1 and Union 2 plan to start a work-to-rule campaign on Nov. 20 if their demands are unmet. The unions plan an indefinite general strike beginning Nov. 25 if management and the Seoul metropolitan government do not change their positions.

Seoul Metro union threatens Nov. 25 general strike over wage, hiring disputes

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Summary

Union 1 of Seoul Metro threatened Tuesday to launch an indefinite general strike on Nov. 25 if its demands are not met. The union is seeking a 3.5 percent wage increase, additional hiring and the scrapping of a plan to cut 2,212 jobs. Unions 2 and 3 also approved the strike plan. Union 1 and Union 2 plan to begin a work-to-rule campaign on Nov. 20 if negotiations do not produce changes.

Key Facts

Union 1 said 7,782 of its 9,201 members participated in a strike vote, and 6,715 of those voters backed the plan.
Unions 2 and 3 reported that 80.8 percent and 94.9 percent of their respective members voted in favor of the strike plan.
Union 1 is calling for 1,313 additional workers to be hired this year and for all field work to be performed by two-person teams.
The union also called for state funding for public services.
Seoul Metro operates subway Lines 1-8 and parts of Line 9.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 10, 2026 4:37 pm KST

Seoul Metro union members chant slogans during a rally in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

The largest of three labor unions at Seoul Metro threatened Tuesday to launch a general strike on Nov. 25 unless its demands, including additional staff recruitment and wage increases, are met.

Union 1 of Seoul Metro, which operates subway Lines 1-8 and parts of Line 9, issued the warning at a news conference following a meeting of senior union members.

The union initially sought a 5.2 percent wage increase but lowered its demand to 3.5 percent in negotiations with management. It also calls for scrapping a plan to cut 2,212 jobs and hiring an additional 1,313 workers this year to address staff shortages. Other demands include state funding for public services and a requirement that all field work be performed by two-person teams.

The union said 7,782, or 84.6 percent, of its 9,201 members recently participated in a vote, with 6,715, or 86.3 percent of those who voted, backing the strike plan.

Unions 2 and 3 also approved the strike plan, with 80.8 percent and 94.9 percent of their respective members voting in favor.

Union 1 said it and Union 2 plan to launch a "work-to-rule" campaign on Nov. 20 unless their demands are met. They plan to begin an indefinite general strike on Nov. 25, if management and the Seoul metropolitan government do not change their positions.

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