Unsettled Unions of Korea Railroad and Korea Gas Corporation

The public unions, Korean Railroad Union and Korea Gas Corporation Union, that had reached agreements with the government, are moving for second actions, protesting against the government plan to punish the leaders of the illegal strikes. The labor and the management of Korea Electric Power Industry continued negotiation yesterday without having any particular progress.

Protesting against the arrest of 10 union leaders by the police and the accusation of the Korean National Railroad against the 183 unionists, some members of KRU began occupation strikes. However, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation declares its position to deal with this situation by the law.

The Korea Gas Corporation Union is planning to put the labor-management agreements to the vote at the board of delegation today, anticipating controversies among the unionists who are arguing that “the executive team of the union gave up the request for the annulment of privatization too early.”

The labor and management of the Korean Electric Power Industries resumed their negotiation at Royal Hotel, Myungdong, but confirmed their disagreement about the issues such as `annulment of the privatization` and `reinstatemetn of the dismissed employees.` Previously, Korea Electric Power held a disciplinary deliberation committee and decided to dismiss 47 union leaders and to file a lawsuit against 200 unionists.

Meanwhile, the Myungdong Catholic Cathedral disconnected the supply of electricity to the site where the executive members of KEPIU at 7:30 PM on 3rd. Myungdong Catholic Cathedral requested them to leave, saying “we cannot provide this place for the strikes not for the persons wanted by the police but for the unionist interest.”

Jin Lee leej@donga.com