South Korea rail workers launch first strike in four years (updated)

Startek

14/09/2023 07:24

(Adds comment from union, ministry, train operator, background;
paragraphs 2-3, 5-8)
    By Hyonhee Shin and Joyce Lee
       SEOUL, Sept 14 (Reuters) - 
    About 13,000 unionised rail workers launched a four-day
strike on Thursday, their first such action in four years, which
could cut passenger and cargo train operations by up to 60% amid
soaring seasonal demand. 
    The Korean Railway Workers' Union is seeking improved pay
and working conditions and an expansion of the KTX bullet train
services to include lucrative routes to southern Seoul, which
are only allotted to the other high-speed railway, called SRT. 
        A major impact on businesses was unlikely as South
Korea's key export items, such as semiconductors and cars, do
not rely on rail, but some officials in sectors including
cement, steel and petrochemicals warned against a prolonged
walkout.
  
    The strike, the first since November 2019, came after a
collapse of negotiations late on Wednesday between the union,
the transport ministry and Korea Railroad Corp (KORAIL), the
state-run train operator. The work stoppage is due to end at 9
a.m. on Monday (Sunday midnight GMT). 
    The union accused the government of causing public confusion
and seat shortages by splitting profitable routes between the
two train operators, which it said should integrate to cut costs
and boost efficiency. 
        The transport ministry dismissed the union's claim and
the strike as "illicit," vowing stern action. 
  
    KORAIL chief Han Moon-hee apologised for inconvenience to
passengers and urged the workers to return to work. 
    "This strike has no legitimacy because it targets government
policy issues that cannot be resolved through negotiations," Han
told a news conference. 
        The ministry estimated cargo trains would run at 21%-47%
of their normal capacity. KORAIL said it would operate about 68%
of the KTX routes, and 75% of metro subways outside the morning
rush hours. 
    According to the Korea Cement Association, rail accounts for
40% of cement transport, and any protracted strike could affect
firms during the fall's peak building season.
    "We have secured some inventory in preparation for the
strike, but it's not a lot. If the strike lengthens, we will
have to convert to land transport, which will drive up costs and
hit profitability," a cement company official said. 


 (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin and Joyce Lee; Editing by Stephen
Coates and Gerry Doyle)
 ((hyonhee.shin@thomsonreuters.com; 822 6936 1474;))