Korea's railway union goes on two-day strike

DAEJEON, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's railway union launched a 48-hour
strike from 9 a.m. Thursday after failing to resolve a dispute with managers
over working conditions.

The Korean Railway Workers' Union, which claims about 25,000 members, said the
walkout will be joined by metropolitan railway workers from Friday morning.
Union officials said negotiations with the state-funded Korea Railroad (KORAIL)
fell through due to the management's refusal to compromise on wage hikes, the
downsizing of full-time union members, and the union's labor rights.
The KORAIL workers voted to strike late last month, with 76.6 percent supporting
the walkout.
Only 60 percent of the normal workforce was manning local train and metropolitan
subway services, but replacement staff were set to be mobilized incrementally,
transportation authorities said.
"We will make utmost efforts to minimize passengers' inconvenience and take stern
action against illegal activities (by the workers)," an official at KORAIL said.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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