Dacom files for lockout

With its labor union in the midst of a month-long strike, Dacom announced Wednesday that it has filed for a lockout with the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). Consequently, striking unionists will be banned from accessing the company's offices beginning at 7 a.m. Thursday.

The union and management have held 17 rounds of negotiations so far and reached a tentative agreement on five major issues, including the acquisition of Channeli from LG Internet and a capital increase with consideration. But the two sides remain sharply divided over wage hikes and the personnel management system.

Management proposed a five percent basic wage increase but the union called for raises of between 9.5 and 14.5 percent over last year¡¯s levels.

Regarding the application for a lockout, management officials explained that it was inevitable because interference by strikers was causing delays in services. The lockout will not affect intercity and international telephone services, the officials said.

Dacom management plans to continue dialogue with unionists and lift the lockout when they end their strike.

mook@donga.com