Metal workers go ahead with strike action - The Korea Herald (edited)
Unionized metal workers are set to walk off the job today, demanding industry-level negotiations with management amid government warnings of a stern response to any illegal activities.
Some 63 percent of the Korean Metal Workers Union voted Thursday in favor of the labor leadership's plans to stage a partial walkout from today through Friday and go on an indefinite strike starting July 23 at a total of 185 workplaces nationwide.
Justice Minister Kim Sung-ho vowed on Monday that the government will push ahead with its "zero tolerance" policy toward illegal activities, citing recent anti-FTA demonstrations by the KMWU, sit-in protests by the E.Land union and the disruption of U.S. beef sales by civic groups.
Speaking on the occasion of the 59th Constitution Day, he also said the government will "do everything in its capacity to minimize public discomfort" coming from illegal actions, expressing grave concerns toward possible damage to the nation's constitutionalism.
The KMWU, backed by the militant Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, represent some 143,000 metal and auto workers as the single largest labor group in the country. However, only about two-thirds of the union members participated in the balllot, as its key members belonging to the Hyundai Motor Co. and Ssangyong Motor Co. engaged in separate wage talks with their management.
"A deal will be possible only when the nation's four car companies agree to participate in the industry-level negotiations starting next year at the latest," said a KMWU official, threatening to continue walkout next month if they reject the labor proposal.Workers at GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Co. and Kia Motors Corp. launched partial strikes earlier in the week, demanding increased monthly salaries and incentives.
By Ahn Hyo-lim
2007.07.18
Link to original Korea Herald article
Thank you,
John Martyn
