Hospital Strike Locking Horns and Killing Patients

Even though, as of yesterday, four days have passed since the hospital workers strike began, there is still no sign of further progress in wage negotiation between management and labor, which is raising concern over the results of a prolonged strike.

Despite marathon negotiations at Korea University Medical Center, which dragged on until dawn yesterday, the meeting ended with the two sides confirming their earlier positions. The labor is demanding a 5-day, 40-hour workweek, while the management proposes a 6-day, 40-hour workweek.

Yun Yeong-kyu, chief of the National Health and Medical Industry Labor Union, said at a news conference Saturday at Korea University, “We will expand demonstration into other hospitals like Seoul National University Hospital and gear up the protest by sending union members directly to hospitals.”

In response, hospital management said, “Any illegal action that hamstrings patient treatment, such as occupying a hospital lobby and stopping meal service, must stop immediately. We are facing numerous medical glitches and reducing the number of operations.”

Even though, thus far, no report of a medical fiasco has been made, concern is rising with the strike showing no sign of an end and the labor strengthening its protest.

Despite the strike taking place in the hospital yesterday, there was little disruption because outpatients do not visit on Sundays. However, long-term inpatients and their family members expressed strong anxiety.

One patient hospitalized in Seoul National University Hospital said, “I understand the labor union’s demand. However, as a patient, it is very worrisome to see hundreds of people sitting in a lobby and demonstrating. I am very anxious over whether my operation can be conducted in time.”

Patients are waiting in longer lines for treatments and meals, in addition to suffering other inconveniences, while hospital workers not participating in the strike are suffering from increased workload and fatigue. The situation will be further deteriorated on Monday when outpatients arrive and create more work.

Sources from the Seoul National University said, “The number of operations was reduced to 60 percent of the average last week. We assume this week it will go down to 50 percent. Even though treatments for outpatients have been conducted without any difficulties, we are not sure what will happen from now on.”

In addition, sources from Korean University Medical Center said, “We are covering only two-thirds of our normal operations and conducting only emergency performances. It seems impossible to expect normal treatments for outpatients, especially at the beginning of the week when outpatients flock to us.”

Meanwhile, labor sources said, “It is highly likely that we will see the strike prolonged, since the two sides are holding their positions without showing any budging. Today, as the new week starts, it will be the height of this strike.”

In the wake of a special meeting, a Labor Ministry official said, “It is unlikely to expect a compromise through the autonomous negotiations. The Ministry will actively mediate by attending negotiations after being granted their approval.”

“Unless the labor union stops occupying a hospital lobby for demonstration immediately,” the Labor Ministry official added, “the union will not avert their responsibility later.”

Jong-Hoon Lee Soo-Jung Shin taylor55@donga.com crystal@donga.com