Rail workers' union vows general strike on Dec. 10 amid rally in Seoul rain

The Korean Railway Workers' Union has again warned it will launch a general strike on Dec. 10, urging the government and related agencies to establish a fair promotion system and expand railway safety staffing.

The union held a mass rally Saturday afternoon on the road in front of Exit 12 of Seoul Station, calling the event a "total resolution rally for safety staffing, abolition of field-exclusion promotion monopoly, and victory in wage and collective bargaining negotiations." Organizers reported 5,000 attendees at the rain-soaked gathering.

"If Korea Railroad Corporation fails to present meaningful proposals and the government persists in controlling and cutting personnel, we will have no choice but to launch a general strike at 9 a.m. on Dec. 10," the union said.

The union said field workers are being shut out of promotions and called for systemic reform. It also urged the expansion of railway safety staffing, payment of additional allowances, and improvements to substandard rest facilities.

Kang Cheol, the union's central dispute committee chair, said the demand to hire more workers as workloads grow is "the most basic common sense," and asked why it is rejected every time. "The sweat and toil of field workers who run trains through the night and guard the tracks is being treated as less worthy than desk work," Kang said.

Kang added that rest areas reeking of mold are still widespread, and said Korea National Railway bears clear responsibility for neglecting conditions at railway worksites.

Shin Geun-taek, dispute committee chair of the Yeongju regional chapter, urged the government to improve rest facilities and expand staffing. "How long must we keep demanding proper accommodations for colleagues coming off night shifts, and enough staff so that workers do not feel guilty taking annual leave or sick days?" Shin said.

Lee Do-hyeon, dispute committee chair of the Mokpo locomotive crew branch, said the exclusion of field workers from standard promotions must be addressed. "Why is it that not a single field worker is recognized in general promotions?" Lee said.

Earlier, the union held a press conference at Seoul Station Plaza on Wednesday and warned it would launch an indefinite general strike starting next month if its demands — including promotion system reform, additional allowances and expanded staffing — were not met.