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Tensions were growing at individual workplaces nationwide over a new payment system for full-time union officials, which took effect from Thursday.
As part of a revision to the labor union law, employers are no longer allowed to pay full-time unionists from this year.
In preparation for the soft-landing of the new measure, however, corporate payment would be partly permitted for a limited number of union officials, called the “paid time-off” system.
Labor groups have resisted the paid time-off system, saying related issues should be decided through collective bargaining at individual workplaces, not by the government.
Despite the fierce opposition from labor groups, the government pushed ahead with the new measure on Thursday as originally planned and warned of a strict response to any violations.
“Some people have doubts about the soft-landing of the time-off system. However, the government will make every effort for the new measure to be settled at workplaces,” said Labor Minister Yim Tae-hee at a recent speech.
The ministry has created a special task force team that is responsible for monitoring unfair labor activities related to the new law.
Employers who are found to have violated the rules could face up to 2 years in jail or a fine of up to 20 million won ($16,000).
The Korea Confederation of Trade Unions, the nation’s second-largest umbrella labor group, pledged an all-out fight against the government in the coming months.
“We reject all requests from employers that are based on the time-off system. We will support affiliated unions to have their full-time unionists and activities secured through collective bargaining,” said the group in a statement.
The union of Kia Motors has to reduce its number of full-time officials from 181 to 19, according to the new measure. However, the union was demanding that the current number of full-time unionists be secured and that the company pay their wages.
As the union declined to submit the final list of 19 full-time union officials by the deadline on June 30, the company also took a firm stand. The management has decided not to pay any of the full-time unionists for July and to withdraw 27 vehicles provided to the union.
As the majority number of union members agreed to a general strike in a vote in June, the union leaders were planning to discuss a detailed schedule on July 12.
Because the new measure does not apply to a labor-management agreement that was signed before July 1, Hyundai Motors, which has the largest union in Korea and whose agreement with the union expires next March, has not yet gone through such conflicts.
There were some cases of agreement between labor and management as well.
The union of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. has decided to reduce its number of full-time union officials from 55 to 30, becoming the first union to accept the time-off system. While 15 of them will be paid by the company, the union will pay the other 15 on its own.
“It is aimed at conducting autonomous union activities and paving the way to become an advanced union,” said Oh Jong-swae, the union’s chairman.
According to the Ministry of Labor, more than 100 workplaces have renewed their collective agreement this year under the new measure.
By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)
As part of a revision to the labor union law, employers are no longer allowed to pay full-time unionists from this year.
In preparation for the soft-landing of the new measure, however, corporate payment would be partly permitted for a limited number of union officials, called the “paid time-off” system.
Labor groups have resisted the paid time-off system, saying related issues should be decided through collective bargaining at individual workplaces, not by the government.
Despite the fierce opposition from labor groups, the government pushed ahead with the new measure on Thursday as originally planned and warned of a strict response to any violations.
“Some people have doubts about the soft-landing of the time-off system. However, the government will make every effort for the new measure to be settled at workplaces,” said Labor Minister Yim Tae-hee at a recent speech.
The ministry has created a special task force team that is responsible for monitoring unfair labor activities related to the new law.
Employers who are found to have violated the rules could face up to 2 years in jail or a fine of up to 20 million won ($16,000).
The Korea Confederation of Trade Unions, the nation’s second-largest umbrella labor group, pledged an all-out fight against the government in the coming months.
“We reject all requests from employers that are based on the time-off system. We will support affiliated unions to have their full-time unionists and activities secured through collective bargaining,” said the group in a statement.
The union of Kia Motors has to reduce its number of full-time officials from 181 to 19, according to the new measure. However, the union was demanding that the current number of full-time unionists be secured and that the company pay their wages.
As the union declined to submit the final list of 19 full-time union officials by the deadline on June 30, the company also took a firm stand. The management has decided not to pay any of the full-time unionists for July and to withdraw 27 vehicles provided to the union.
As the majority number of union members agreed to a general strike in a vote in June, the union leaders were planning to discuss a detailed schedule on July 12.
Because the new measure does not apply to a labor-management agreement that was signed before July 1, Hyundai Motors, which has the largest union in Korea and whose agreement with the union expires next March, has not yet gone through such conflicts.
There were some cases of agreement between labor and management as well.
The union of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. has decided to reduce its number of full-time union officials from 55 to 30, becoming the first union to accept the time-off system. While 15 of them will be paid by the company, the union will pay the other 15 on its own.
“It is aimed at conducting autonomous union activities and paving the way to become an advanced union,” said Oh Jong-swae, the union’s chairman.
According to the Ministry of Labor, more than 100 workplaces have renewed their collective agreement this year under the new measure.
By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)
