'Metalworkers Union and Health Workers Union' Consecutive General Strikes... Increasing Public Inconvenience

Metalworkers' Union Announces Evening March in Downtown
45,000 Health Workers Including Nurses Join Union Strike
Business Sector "Concerns Over Management Deterioration Due to Metalworkers' Strike"

Starting from the 12th, the Metalworkers' Union and the Health and Medical Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) have declared consecutive general strikes and announced plans to hold street rallies and marches. As a result, inconveniences are expected for citizens' movement in downtown Seoul and the use of major hospitals nationwide after this date.

According to labor sources on the 11th, the Metalworkers' Union under the KCTU will begin a general strike the following day. On the 7th, the Metalworkers' Union decided on a guideline to strike for at least two hours through a vote among union members on industrial action. Furthermore, they intend to proceed with the march from the west side of the National Museum of Korea to Namyeong Intersection despite police prohibitions. The Metalworkers' Union is demanding a minimum wage increase, amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act known as the "Yellow Envelope Law," and the resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

The Health and Medical Workers' Union under the KCTU will also conduct a general strike on the 13th and 14th. This is the first general strike in 19 years since 2004, when they struck to prevent medical privatization and to enforce a five-day workweek. Approximately 45,000 healthcare workers, including nurses from 145 medical institutions, including major university hospitals, have decided to participate in the strike. Except for emergency rooms, operating rooms, intensive care units, delivery rooms, and neonatal units, which are directly related to patient lives, all nurses belonging to the union will participate in the strike.

The Health and Medical Workers' Union demands, "Institutionalize a system where one nurse manages up to a maximum of five patients to ensure safe nursing for patients," and "Establish appropriate staffing standards by occupation and clearly define the scope of work." The union is considering extending the strike indefinitely if their demands are not met.

Consequently, citizen inconvenience is expected to increase. The Metalworkers' Union plans to march along Hangang-daero, a major arterial road in Seoul, until 6:30 p.m. on the 13th, raising concerns about severe traffic congestion during the evening rush hour. The police have issued a prohibition notice against the Metalworkers' Union's march, stating, "The march along the sidewalk to the final destination will take considerable time, causing congestion in pedestrian and vehicle traffic."

Significant disruptions are also anticipated in patient care at major hospitals where the Health and Medical Workers' Union will strike. The National Cancer Center has decided to cancel all cancer surgeries during the strike period. Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital will discharge all inpatients by the 12th, before the strike begins, due to the lack of nurses to care for patients in the wards.

The business community has expressed concerns over the consecutive general strikes by the unions. The Korea Automobile Mobility Industry Association (KAMA) issued a statement saying, "The small and medium parts industry, which had faced a management crisis, is now somewhat stabilizing due to recent strong automobile sales and exports. If the Metalworkers' Union conducts an illegal political strike, the automobile parts industry will fall back into management deterioration." They added, "Especially if the Hyundai Motor Union joins the strike, it will darken the future of Hyundai Motor, which is preparing to take a leap forward by expanding future car investments, including the groundbreaking of the first domestic electric vehicle-only factory in 29 years."