Union Confederation to Hold Protests vs. Labor Accord

Union Confederation to Hold Protests vs. Labor Accord. December. 07, 2009 08:45. sys1201@donga.com raks@donga.com.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions yesterday said it will stage simultaneous demonstrations against a tripartite agreement on delaying multiple unions and stopping wage payments to former union members.

In a news conference at its office in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo district, the confederation said, “The agreement is unfair since it ignored workers’ rights and the voices of the opposition party and unions.”

“The agreement has delayed the setup of multiple unions, which is a basic right guaranteed by the Constitution, by two and a half years. The right in effect has been removed by the decision. Yet the ban on paying wages to former union members will take effect in July next year. We take this as an attempt to stomp out union activities.”

Beginning with demonstrations in front of each district office of the ruling Grand National Party Monday, the confederation will stage rallies in front of the National Assembly by gathering its managers in the Seoul metropolitan area Tuesday.

From Wednesday, it will hold demonstrations in the same place with member trade unions, and possibly a massive rally Dec. 12, 16 and 17 in Seoul. A nationwide demonstration is planned for Dec. 18 and another large assembly the next day.

The Hyundai Motor branch of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union said in a newsletter yesterday, “Paying wages to former union members has never been an issue in our labor and management relationship over the past 23 years. Therefore, we will actively participate in the all-out demonstration together with the confederation against the ban on such wage payments, a decision that should be left up to labor and management.”

The Hyundai Motor union also said, “The agreement attempts to stifle union activities by tightening the finances of unions at large plants such as Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and GM Daewoo that have more than 10,000 members belonging to the metal workers’ union.”