Public servants seek to form labor union

An organization of public servants below grade six are gearing up to organize a labor union. The Federation of the National Public Servants` Consultative Councils or ``Chongongnyon`` has already chosen its leadership in an initial move to transform the organization into a labor union.

The federation elected Cha Bong-Chon, representative of the National Assembly Secretariat, as chairman Saturday and also named other major post holders during a convention of delegates from across the nation. The convention was held at Seoul National University.

A spokesman said that 86 of the 217 councils nationwide sent delegates to the convention. Cha said he would make efforts to wipe out irregularities through reform of officialdom and restore the basic labor rights of government officials.

The federation will first concentrate on convincing the public that the establishment of a public servants` labor union is ``inevitable.`` It will then seek to pressure the government and the political parties to revise related laws to facilitate the union`s official inauguration. The group will next month convene a meeting of its central committee to map out concrete programs.

Yang Ki-Dae kee@donga.com