Worker Strikes Continue In Korea, but Low Turnout


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 source - labornews@igc.org

     Korea Herald
     05-13-99 : Second stage of KCTU-initiated labor strikes sees
     low turnout

     By Kim Min-hee Staff reporter

     The Korea Health and Medical Workers' Union (KHMWU) and the Korean
     Metal Workers' Federation (KMWF) led off a second round of labor
     strikes yesterday, albeit with a low turnout. Subway workers announced
     in the midst of the beginning of the strikes that they would stage
     another walkout from Friday unless the government changes its stance.
     However, unionized workers of Korea Veterans Hospital, called off their
     planned walkout, slated to begin 9 a.m.

     The call-off came as the management agreed in an overnight negotiation
     to re-review a number of issues, including proposed layoffs of 345
     staff and the provision of transportation allowances. Labor action also
     drew lukewarm support from unions affiliated the KMWF, which had
     threatened that 116 workplaces would stage walkouts between today and
     May 15.

     Partial strikes were reported at nine workplaces, including Hyundai
     Precision & Industry and Korea Heavy Industries & Construction but
     other 25 firms which were supposed to go on strike called off their
     plans. But the unionized workers of the Korea Center Hospital went
     ahead with its planned strike. "We are proceeding with our strike to
     protest against hospital's unilateral restructuring which proposes 7
     percent wage cut and a reduction of paid holidays," a union spokesman
     said.

     The Seoul District Regional Labor Committee, meanwhile, decided to
     submit the labor dispute of the Seoul National University Hospital to
     government arbitration. Once referred to arbitration, the union can not
     go on strike during the 15-day compulsory mediation period.

     "The hospital is an essential public facility and a major hospital of
     the country where an average of 86 surgeries are held everyday and
     about 106 emergency treatments are made per month. We decided on
     arbitration since we cannot put peoples' lives to risk," said a Labor
     Ministry official. The official also said, "If unionized workers of
     Seoul National University Hospital go on strike tomorrow as planned,
     other hospitals are likely to follow suit."

     There are a total of 32 hospitals that have warned to go on strike
     between today and May 20, including Kyunghee University Medical Center
     and Ewha Womans' University medical centers.

 
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nytas-05.14.99-20:39:16-320