“The Fight to Recognize the Rightful Labor for the Safety of Citizens and Trains is Just”
On the morning of the 18th, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions’ Public Transport Workers’ Union’s Korea Railway Workers’ Union (Railway Union) began a compliance struggle (work-to-rule) at Seoul Station as shown in the photo.
The Railway Union has announced a general strike. On the 21st, the union held a press conference in front of Seoul Station, stating, “If there is no change in the positions of the government and Korea Railroad Corporation, we will embark on an indefinite general strike starting December 5.”
They emphasized, “The December general strike is an unavoidable choice,” and asserted, “The fight by railway workers to ensure the safety of citizens and trains and to recognize rightful labor is just.”
Previously, on the 18th, the Railway Union initiated a compliance struggle (work-to-rule) starting with the first train, demanding a transition to a four-group two-shift system, the replenishment of insufficient staffing, and a fixed increase of the basic salary by 2.5%.
Choi Myung-ho, chairman of the Railway Union, raised his voice at a rally on October 23, stating, “The erosion of wages and personnel costs is the management’s fault,” and questioned, “Why should railway workers be discriminated against and suffer disadvantages compared to other public institutions?”
At that time, the union chanted slogans such as “Oppose wage freeze,” “Take responsibility for unpaid wages,” “Railway workers must be safe for the trains to be safe, prepare safety measures,” and “Stop personnel cuts and replenish staff for new routes.”