Negotiation between Government and Labor Ends Power Generation Strike

The labor union of power generation sector ended it grip on strike as the negations dramatically reached on an agreement on April 2, which is the 37th day of strikes started from February 25 when the Union demanded the withdrawal of the privatization plan.

Accordingly, the Democratic Labor Union cancelled a general strike in sympathy with the strike, which was scheduled to begin at one P.M., and the worrisome prospect of clashes between labor and the government have been aborted. The Democratic Labor Union and the Ministry of Labor representing labor and management respectively have held the last negotiation in Lotte Hotel located in Sogong-Dong, Seoul, starting from 11 A.M. and successfully concluded the negotiation and anNounced an agreement on 1 P.M. which included provisions such as `Privatization related negotiation is excluded from discussion topics.`

As the agreement between the Democratic Labor Union and the Ministry of Labor is reached, the general sympathy strike is cancelled and All National Teacher’s Union cancelled immediately `early leave struggle` and relayed the information through Internet or emergency communications net.

Additionally the labor union of Hyundai Motor Inc. returned to Normal working condition at 3 P.M. even though it previously ordered the whole union members to stand-by for emergency in office beginning from 1 P.M.

The Democratic Labor Union Not only cancelled a general sympathy strike with the estimated participation of affiliated workers numbering 140 thousand in 393 working unit of 186 trade unions in the whole nation. In addition, the Union decided Not to launch gatherings for victory resolution of general strike to be held in various regions of the country.

The power generation labor and management promised in the agreement, `We jointly exert effort for the better future of power generation industry and abide by laws and principles so that unfortunate incident like this will Not occur again, and apologize sincerely for the damages done to people following the strike.`

The power generation labor and management agreed on three provisions including the exclusion of privatization settlement talks from discussion topics, solving in appropriate level the liability and punishment of labor union members in civilian and criminal court proceedings, and immediate return to wok by labor union and stopping of strike.

However, the union leadership of power generations sector including chairmen Yi Ho-Dong who gathered in Myongdong Cathedral had some discontent on the agreement imitated by the Democratic Labor Union and discussed heatedly on whether to accept the proposal, so the signing delayed sometime. Additionally, the 3,000 trade union members of power generation labors who practiced a spread-out struggle gathered in Jongmyo Park in Seoul at three thirty and heard on the agreed content from their leaders and voluntarily dissolved after summarizing the strike results.

However, some have pointed out the strikes of power generation labors may have solved earlier if the government showed more negotiation skills in view of the agreement level between labors and management at this time.

Jin Lee leej@donga.com