Labor Union Declares `Early Fighting`

`Early fighting` is spreading in Labor Union.

Public labor union like Railways, Gas, and power etc declared comprehensive strike on 25th and FKTU (Federation of Korea Trade Union) protested in full majority to support it.

Lee Nam Sun, chairman of FKTU held press conference on 21st and stated, "Government and ruling party should withdraw privatization of train and gas, and discuss countermeasures for appropriate development of National Industry." and "if our request is not accepted, we will go on a total strike on 25th."

In addition Chairman Lee resisted, "in case government enforce non-principled privatization, big state of emergency in domestic will occur due to total strike of national industry."

He requested △ exchange of 2 changes in 3 mornings from 24 hour exchange in railways △ direct negotiation between labor and government regarding current situation of railway, Gas, etc.

KCTU also held press conference on 21st and said that unless government and ruling party promise not to pass bad revised labor law bill, which sacrifices labor besides part time workers in minor companies at special session in February, they will begin large scale strike in which 100,000 labors will join from 26th, 1:00 P.M.

KCTU resisted that 100,000 person from 140 working places including big companies such as Hyundai Mobiles, Kia Mobiles, Ssang Yong mobiles, Pusan (heavy) Industry and social insurance, etc will join this strike.

Besides, KCTU plans to hold `national labor meeting` in which 20,000 people will participate on 20th at Yeouido, Seoul and requested not to reduce holiday and vacation as well as not to expand relax work system to one year unit in connection with 5 days working system.

Government will hold concerned ministry meeting on 22nd regarding the movement of strike of labor union of National Industry and will discuss comprehensive counter measures.

On the other hand, National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) submitted the terms desired by Labor Union of KGS to an arbitration committee.

Labor Union of KGS, which is an indispensable public work place, will be prohibited strike for 15 days due to NLRC submission and in case of reinforcing strike; it will be termed as illegal one.

Jin Lee leej@donga.com