Democratic Labor Union Gaining Momentum in Winter Struggle... Simultaneous General Strikes Announced

National Workers' Rally in Seoul and Busan on the 3rd
General Strike on the 6th... Chairman Yang Kyung-soo "All Union Members Will Participate"
Government's Work Commencement Order Response Intent... Strong Countermeasures Expected

On the 29th, when the government issued a work commencement order against the general strike by the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Public Transport Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, members of the Cargo Solidarity Seoul-Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters held a rally at the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province, shouting slogans condemning the order.
/Uiwang=Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is joining rallies and general strikes, driving forward the momentum of the winter struggle known as 'Dongtu (冬鬪)'. The KCTU threatened to intensify its fight, stating that the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which issued a work commencement order against the Cargo Solidarity currently on a general strike, bears responsibility for dialogue.

According to labor sources on the 2nd, the KCTU plans to hold nationwide workers' rallies in Seoul and Busan the following day. Originally, rallies and demonstrations were scheduled only in Seoul, but the KCTU announced that they will also be held in Busan to support the Cargo Solidarity strike. Furthermore, a simultaneous nationwide general strike is planned for the 6th. Union members at workplaces affiliated with the KCTU are expected to participate in the struggle not only through strikes but also by leaving work early, attending training, and other methods.

The KCTU's current rallies and strikes were planned in response to the government's work commencement order issued against cement transport workers. The government, citing increasing economic damage and public inconvenience, passed the work commencement order at a Cabinet meeting on the 29th of last month and issued work commencement orders to 765 transport workers as of the previous day. Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, said, "The government's work commencement order is tantamount to declaring martial law against cargo workers," adding, "Since the president issued the work commencement order, he should personally come forward for negotiations."

On the 22nd of last month, the KCTU held a press conference in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, announcing plans for a general strike and all-out struggle. However, the intensity of the struggle led by the KCTU was not high, limited to actions such as a hunger strike demanding amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act (the Yellow Envelope Act). Instead, the Public Transport Union took the lead in the struggle. The Seoul National University Hospital union and the National Health Insurance Customer Center branch under the Public Transport Union (on the 23rd of last month), the Cargo Solidarity (on the 24th of last month), and the Seoul Transportation Corporation union (on the 30th of last month) all entered into a general strike.

Although the Seoul National University Hospital union, Seoul Transportation Corporation union, and the National Railway Union under the Public Transport Union withdrew from the general strike, the relationship between the government and labor is likely to enter turbulent waters as the KCTU joins the strike. On the previous day, Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, indicated a tough response via Facebook, stating, "The KCTU's organized solidarity struggle in response to the Cargo Solidarity's indefinite collective transport refusal makes daily life and the economy difficult for the public and could ultimately result in harm to workers." Chairman Yang stated, "The KCTU has resolved to maintain the general strike formation and have all union members participate," adding, "All union members will stand in solidarity daily with the Cargo Solidarity strike occurring in each region and defend the general strike formation."