The Two Trade Unions- “Restraining Negotiations during the World Cup”

The labor community issued a policy for restraining wage and group negotiations during June’s Korea-Japan World Cup. `Labor-capital peace` is expected.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Union (KCTU) gathered at Youngdeungpo Community Hall on the 30th and decided to have June’s usual strikes in advance in mid- May, considering the World Cup schedule. KCTU also confirmed early negotiations at the Central Committee meeting that took place on the 15th.

While requesting managements to cooperate with negotiations before the World Cup, KCTU decided to fight for negotiations in early July, in case they do not conclude in mid-May.

KCTU insisted, "In return of early negotiations, the government should release arrested laborers like chairman Dan Byung-Ho, and managements should accept central negotiations. If the demands are met, peace will be maintained during the World Cup."

Also, before its regular meeting on February 7, Federation of Korean Trade Unions composed guidelines to concentrate the negotiations in May.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Labor is to induce declaration of peace between labor and capital from enterprises involved in the World Cup in 10 World Cup cities by holding district Labor ministers’ meetings on February 2 in connection to trade unions’ decisions for early negotiations.

leej@donga.com