Unionized rail workers to go on indefinite strike next Tuesday

Unionized railway workers said Friday they will launch an indefinite strike next Tuesday, claiming disagreements with the government over bonus payments. The Korean Railway Workers' Union announced it would launch the strike at 9 a.m. Tuesday if there is no change in the government's stance. The union shelved a planned strike last week after reaching a tentative deal on key issues with the government but claimed on Friday that the government has failed to keep its promise. One of the key points of contention is changing the current compensation system that caps performance bonuses at 80 percent of base pay. The union argued for performance bonuses to be set at 100 percent of base pay like other public institutions. "The essence of the current situation is an issue of trust, not wages," the union said in a statement. "How can rail workers trust the government and work when even the finance ministry does not keep its promise." Along with the strike, the union plans to hold rallies near the presidential office in central Seoul on Tuesday.