Ex-Union Leaders Launch Labor Group

Former labor union leaders announced they would make a break with the past labor movement style and launch a new organization named “New Right New Labor Union (NRNLU).”

As some of the former leaders of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) announced their pursuit of a different style of labor movement, people are wondering whether this new organization can grow to be a “third confederation” along with the other two in the labor world.

A source in the new organization said, “The existing labor movement represented by the KCTU and the FKTU worsened the quality of workers’ life by focusing on struggles. Our foremost goal will be to create jobs through participation and cooperation.”

According to the NRNLU Preparation Committee on September 19, the founding ceremony will be held at the event hall on the first floor of an annex to 63 Building at 3:00 p.m., September 23. About a thousand members are going to attend the ceremony.

Kwon Yong-mok, 49, who was the first secretary general of the KCTU and helped founding the NRNLU as chair of the Preparation Committee, will serve as representative.

Lee Won-geon, the sixth chairman of Hyundai Heavy Industries labor union, will serve as the director of Yeongnam Headquarters, while former chairman of Korea Electric Power Corporation labor union Yang Jae-heon will serve as the director of Honam Headquarters, and 2nd chairman of Korea Nuclear Fuel labor union Joo Dong-sik as chief of the public relations team.

Other members of the Preparation Committee include former chairman of Hyundai Heavy Industries labor union Lee Hyeong-geon, former chairman of Hyundai Hysco labor union Jeong Cheol, former chairman of LG Chem labor union Kim Yong-min, former chairman of Hyundai Heavy Electricity labor union Kim Yeong-il, former chairman of Hyundai Heavy Equipment labor union Kim Hak-doo, and former vice chairman of Hyundai Motors labor union Seo Joong-seok.

The founding announcement of the NRNLU said, “The old age of labor movement came to a close as the people turn their backs faced with issues of labor and management conflicts, non-regular workers, and unemployment. We will discard old oppositional ideas and pursue different levels of labor movement to invite the people’s compassionate participation.”

The NRNLU is planning to launch five campaigns: a campaign to reform values for labor and management, a campaign for harmony between labor and management and social integration, a campaign for loving one’s work place, a campaign to create new jobs, and a campaign for world top companies and world top products.

By September 19, the NRNLU organized local branches in six large cities and twenty three cities and counties with about 1,500 members.

Representative Kwon said, “Our foremost task is not to struggle, but to create jobs. The launch of our organization will become a signal to reform the labor world.”

Korea Labor Institute researcher Kim Jeong-han said, “The launch of the NRNLU means the launch of a new labor movement with new values. However, it will take a while for the organization to bring influential trade unions over to its side as members and become a significant presence.”

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