Unionized railway workers enter third day of strike causing passenger inconvenience

Описание: 철도파업 사흘째…광역전철•열차 운행 감축으로 불편 이어져

The nation's unionized railway workers continue their indefinate strike.
So far the protest led to about 20 percent cut in operations.
Even parts of Seoul's subway system are affected.
Eum Ji-young has the full story.
Train operations are being delayed on Friday in Seoul and the wider metropolitan area as unionized workers at the state-run Korea Railroad Corporation, known as KORAIL, are continuing their indefinite walkout for a third day.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, as of 11 AM on Friday, passenger and cargo trains ran at an average of 78 percent of their usual operations.
The operation of the affected subway lines in the Seoul metropolitan area was at around 86 percent, KTX high speed trains were running at around 74 percent, other passenger trains were at around 65 percent, and cargo trains were at around 25 percent the usual rates.
KORAIL implemented emergency measures so that they can keep train operations running for the morning rush hours at around 92.5 percent and during the evening rush hours at roughly 84.2 percent.
Subway lines one, three, four and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, which are run by KORAIL, are affected by the strike, causing passengers to wait longer than usual.
The Gyeongui-Jungang Line was particularly badly affected with just 124 trains a day, down from the usual 162, increasing waiting times to more than 30 minutes from the usual 10 to 20 minutes.
To avoid inconvenience, some commuters began their journeys earlier than usual or used other means of transportation.
The transport ministry said 8-thousand 237 workers, which is 30 percent of Korail's workforce, are taking part in the strike.
The government said that as KORAIL's deficit was roughly 76 million dollars last year, the burden on tax payers will increase if all demands of the union workers are met.
"If a large number of extra employees are hired or the pay raise is implemented, it will increase the burden on the public. The government will only consider measures that can actually be implemented."
The railroad workers union went on strike on Wednesday after failing to reach an agreement with KORAIL on a pay raise, and increased recruitment.
Eum Ji-young, Arirang News.

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