Korean Union Group Declares General Strike

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Union Group Declares General Strike

NOVEMBER 22, 2006 06:55

At the Korea Press Center, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a press conference on November 21 and declared a general strike starting November 22.

The KCTU plans to launch an 8-hour strike on November 22, four-hour-long partial strikes from November 23 to 28, and other general strikes on November 29 and December 6.

The KCTU has also decided to send a delegation to the fifth round of Korea-U.S. FTA talks, which will be held in Montana, US from December 4 to 8.

Union head Jo Joon-ho said, "Since we haven't received any answer about our four major suggestions we made to the government and parties earlier, we will go on a general strike. About 300 thousand workers will join in, including members of the Kia union."

The KCTU showed its stance against the amendment of the Labor Management Relations Act and the Korea-U.S. FTA negotiations, and has also demanded greater job security for irregular workers and a total revision of Workmen's Accident Compensation Insurance.

"If a smooth negotiation cannot be carried out, the only result will be a strike. Because the Federation of Korean Trade Unions does not hold a general strike on most occasions, it is regarded as a "Yellow union" in foreign countries, which does not conduct the functions of a traditional union," Jo argued.

Jo answered a question about the negative impact of a general strike on foreign investors, saying, "Most foreign investors rely on short-term arbitrage, and few of them make long-term investments such as constructing a new factory."

At 3:00 p.m. on November 22, the KCTU will open a general strike rally in which 15,000 workers are expected to participate in front of City Hall, Seoul.

Spokesperson for the KCTU Woo Moon-sook said, "It will not cause a serious problem to the economy because the strikes from November 23 to 28 will be partial."

Meanwhile, Vice Labor Minister Kim Seong-jung called for the withdrawal of the strike announcement, arguing, "Korea is the only country in the world where unions go on a strike every one and a half month."