SEOUL — The union representing South Korean workers at U.S. military bases here will vote next week whether to strike in protest of the U.S. military possibly cutting up to 1,000 jobs, according to the union’s leader, Kang In-shik.

The union, which has almost 13,000 members, has threatened to strike after USFK officials said the contribution from South Korea’s government to maintain U.S. troops here falls short of what is needed.

Earlier this week, both governments initialed a two-year agreement that requires the South Koreans to pay about $680 million annually. That amount is an 8.9 percent drop from last year’s $745 million payment.

Kang also said Thursday his union has hired two lawyers, one an expert in international law and another an expert in labor issues.

The union will vote May 1-3 at about 200 of its branch offices throughout South Korea, Kang said. A protest for May 12 still is planned, he said.

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