Hanwha Ocean Tent Sit-in Dispute ... Differences Over Direct Collective Bargaining and Performance Bonuses

After withdrawing a 47 billion won damages lawsuit and signing a mutual growth agreement, Hanwha Ocean labor-management relations, which had pledged to resolve conflicts and move toward the future, have begun to creak again over collective bargaining and performance bonus payments.

On the afternoon of the 26th, the Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontracting Branch and the Wellibeu Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union, Gyeongnam Branch, held a press conference in front of the west gate of Hanwha Ocean to denounce the management.

The Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontract Branch and Welribeu Branch of the National Metalworkers' Union Gyeongnam Branch are holding a joint struggle declaration press conference in front of the west gate of Hanwha Ocean. Provided by the Metalworkers' Union Gyeongnam Branch

The union stated, "Hanwha Ocean, which is the de facto employer of subcontracted workers and therefore has a duty to engage in collective bargaining, is still refusing to conduct collective bargaining with the Korean Metal Workers' Union Wellibeu Branch and the Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontracting Branch," adding, "It is ignoring the decisions of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of the Republic of Korea and turning the Trade Union Act, which workers fought for more than 20 years to amend, into a mere scrap of paper."

They also said, "While fully enjoying the fruits of the super boom in the shipbuilding industry, the company is evading its responsibilities as an employer," and added, "We can no longer tolerate Hanwha Ocean's illegal and unfair labor practices."

They continued, "Hanwha Ocean said it would pay performance bonuses at the same rate to both the main contractor and subcontractors, but Wellibeu workers, who are responsible for Hanwha Ocean employees' food, housing, and daily living, did not receive any performance bonuses," and demanded, "Do not exclude the company that has been responsible for Hanwha Ocean workers' welfare since 1982 under the name Okpo Public Management from performance bonus payments on the pretext that it is an outside contractor."

Earlier, from 5 p.m. on the 25th, the Korean Metal Workers' Union Wellibeu Branch and the Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Subcontracting Branch began a tent sit-in at Seon-gak Samgeori inside Hanwha Ocean, putting forward these demands.

Members of the Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractors Branch and the Welribeu Branch of the Gyeongnam Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union are staging a tent protest at Seongak Samgeori on the premises of Hanwha Ocean. Provided by the Gyeongnam Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union.

In response, Hanwha Ocean demanded the immediate removal of the union’s tent encampment, arguing that the sit-in infringes on Hanwha Ocean’s facility management rights and creates safety hazards.

Hanwha Ocean said, "Despite our repeated official notices requesting that relevant laws and basic principles be observed regarding access to and occupation of production facilities during union activities and industrial action, the Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Subcontracting Branch and the Wellibeu Branch have installed tents without permission in front of the worksites and are illegally occupying them."

The location of the union’s tent sit-in is reportedly part of the travel route for large transport equipment such as transporters, and is also an area heavily used by vehicles and workers entering and exiting through the west gate during commuting hours.

Hanwha Ocean stated, "The sit-in site not only infringes on the company’s facility management rights and disrupts work, but also poses a high risk of causing serious and major safety accidents," and added, "Please cooperate by promptly dismantling the tents and helping to prevent in advance the risk of serious safety accidents at the workplace."

Regarding the demand that the company participate in collective bargaining before the amended Trade Union Act comes into force, the company said, "This is a matter that will proceed in accordance with the law after the amended act takes effect," and added, "We will respond faithfully in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations."

On the demand to pay the same level of performance bonuses to union members belonging to Wellibeu, the company drew a line, saying, "Wellibeu is a corporation that operates an independent business that is not directly involved in production inside the company, so it would be inappropriate to pay performance bonuses, which are granted based on contributions to production performance."

Hanwha Ocean again requested, "We ask the Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontracting Branch and the Wellibeu Branch to actively cooperate by immediately removing the tents that were installed without permission, so that the safety rights of all colleagues working at Hanwha Ocean’s worksites can be guaranteed."