Korean labor declares all-out fight even as strike loses some steam

Labor amped up the rhetoric and declared an all-out fight in response to the government's highly focused response to a strike by truckers.

Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) stage a rally in front of the National Assembly in western Seoul in support of the trucker strike. [NEWS1]

Labor amped up the rhetoric and declared an all-out fight in response to the government's highly focused response to a strike by truckers.

The continued efforts through the weekend came despite a railway union on Friday calling off a strike that was to be held in support of the truckers and signs that actions taken by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration have been highly effective.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) assembled for a national convention near the National Assembly in western Seoul Saturday afternoon, to unite with the truckers strike and criticize the government's order to return to work.

Unionized truck drivers have been on strike since Nov. 24 demanding higher wages and an extension of support measures, hampering cement, steel and vehicle deliveries nationwide as a result.

Lee Bong-joo, head of Cargo Truckers Solidarity, called President Yoon Suk-yeol’s return-to-work order akin to “declaration of martial law.”

The government is trying to put a leash on cargo workers to force a slave's life with their livelihoods as hostage,” Lee said at the rally on Saturday.

“The Fair Trade Commission threatens to punish us if we refuse to get investigated, but the Cargo Truckers Society is a legitimate labor union,” Lee said, adding that as a union, it can refuse to be investigated.

“The Yoon administration and Yoon’s People Power Party regard the KCTU as an eyesore, and they are pouring out all sorts of hateful remarks that are hard to believe were made by ministers and lawmakers,” said Yang Kyung-soo, head of the KCTU.

The union members shouted slogans demanding the expansion of cargo freight rate system and the withdrawal of back-to-work order, and some staged street marches.

Also on Saturday, another massive rally was held at Busan New Port in the southern city of Busan.

The KCTU is planning simultaneous strikes across the country at 2 p.m. Tuesday, holding rallies at key locations while communicating with the regional headquarters of Cargo Truckers Solidarity and boost momentum of the labor union struggle.

A rail strike that was to start at 9 a.m. Friday was called off after the Korea Railway Workers' Union reached an agreement with management just four hours and thirty minutes before the planned strike.

The Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) strike would have affected KTX bullet trains and Mugunghwa, Saemaeul and tourist trains. Some subway services in Seoul, including metro lines 1, 3 and 4, would also have been affected.

According to the agreement, Korail will come up with a solution to the issue of ordinary wages in stages by cooperating with the finance ministry.

The Korean Railway Workers' Union had demanded a 1.4 percent wage raise this year, or an increase of 187,000 won ($143) per month, a transparent promotion system and the maintenance of the current criteria for performance-based pay.

Management has also agreed to provide better working conditions following the death of one rail worker in Uiwang, a city south to Seoul. The worker was killed trying to connect and separate cargo trains at Obong Station in Uiwang on Nov. 1.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]