Changwon City Sanitation Workers Report Two Subcontractors

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) General Union has reported two subcontracted companies responsible for household waste collection and transportation in Changwon, Gyeongnam, to the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

On the 29th, the union held a press conference in front of the Changwon branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, urging an investigation and punishment, saying, "Expel the subcontractors who have committed unfair labor practices."

The General Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is urging strict punishment for two subcontracted companies handling household waste in Changwon City in front of the Changwon branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
Photo by Lee Seryoung

They stated, "The subcontracted companies for household waste collection and transportation in Changwon have been found guilty of unfair labor practices by both the Gyeongnam Regional Labor Relations Commission and the Central Labor Relations Commission," and argued, "While claiming expertise and rational management to secure contracts, these companies have become specialized in union-busting, committing unfair labor practices with citizens' tax money."

The union requested an investigation, saying, "Company A, after receiving a mediation suspension from the Gyeongnam Regional Labor Relations Commission in July last year, paid a special incentive of 1 million won per person to members of other unions and non-union members who did not participate in the five-day strike."

The General Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is submitting a complaint to the Changwon branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor against two subcontractors handling municipal solid waste in Changwon City.
Photo by Lee Seryoung

Regarding Company B, they said, "This company abuses its disciplinary authority to harass 31 employees," and added, "They tell non-union members who eat with union members not to associate with them and force the union to disband."

They further stated, "In July of last year, a manager was sentenced to four months in prison with one year of probation for repeatedly breaking into the union branch office and taking unauthorized photographs of internal documents."

After the press conference, the union filed a complaint against both companies A and B for unfair labor practices and violations of the 52-hour workweek regulation.

The General Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is holding a press conference in front of Changwon City Hall, demanding that Changwon City terminate the contract with the subcontractor handling municipal waste disposal.
Photo by Lee Seryoung

Previously, on the 24th, they held a press conference demanding that Changwon City terminate its contracts with the household waste management subcontractors.

They claimed, "The subcontracted companies for household waste collection and transportation in Changwon are blatantly committing unfair labor practices and fraudulent claims," citing excessive disciplinary actions, incentive payments to employees who did not participate in industrial actions, unauthorized entry and search of the union office, coercion to dissolve the union, unjust claims for annual leave allowances, and embezzlement of health checkup fees for sanitation workers.

They also held a rally in front of Changwon City Hall, calling for improved wages and working conditions for environmental public workers under subcontract. During this process, there were physical clashes with the police.

Environmental public workers affiliated with the KCTU General Union and Changwon City entered into wage negotiations, but the talks broke down due to irreconcilable differences between the two sides. As a result, the union began a strike on the 11th, and some Changwon City officials are currently participating in on-site collection work.

The city plans to provide as much support as possible for collection work during the strike and continue negotiations to find common ground with the union.