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[Editorial] No Bargaining in Privatization

Posted February. 27, 2002 10:26,   

한국어

It is difficult to understand the negotiation between Government and the Korean Gas Corporation Union (KGCU), which withdrew the strike due to success of negotiation on 25th, among 3 Public Unions such as the Korean Railway Union (KRU), the Korean Electric Power Industry Union (KEPIU).

The difficult point is that `We will decide the time and method of privatization through discussions between unions, company, and government`, considering `the problem of supply-demand following rise in prices which unions mentioned`.

If it is like this, it means that government promoted privatization without examining deeply such matters which unions mentioned.

Deciding the time and method for privatization can be analyzed as premise for retreat for privatization.

Of course, government resisted it is not so, however the word that ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry said, “Going slow is the fast way.”, creates a doubt on the intention of the government regarding privatization.

Such an uncertain attitude of government causes concern that it might exert a bad influence on the negotiation of the rest of two unions, which are going under strike demanding withdrawal of privatization.

Stressing repeatedly, privatization is not the subject for bargaining.

If measures are confirmed through long discussions, government should put privatization into practice.

No matter how much sacrifice strikes entail, privatization should not retreat in negotiations between unions and government.

In particular, Moody`s, Credit Evaluation Organization, is going to visit Korea for adjustment of National Credit degree, therefore government should know that handling labor union can be a crucial variable and should show stern intention in connection with strikes and privatization.

Government shouldn`t take decision reading peoples` faces.

Attitude of National Assembly is that ruling and opposition agree on privatization in principle but they don`t even have discussion on these bills.

This is the extreme of fence-sitter`s policy which run after votes of workers than national profit.

We voters, should judge by votes, politicians, who tackle people by words.

Public industry which is subject of privatization is a social property which is formed by people`s tax.

It is not tolerable that this precious property moves by labor unions` personal profits.