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28 November, 2000International protest letters are still needed says the KMWF.
KOREA, REP: In reaction to the IMF news item of November 14 calling for international solidarity support with Hyundai Heavy Industry (Shipbuilding) workers, a number of IMF affiliates and other organisations have so far joined the protest action by writing letters to the company. Both the IMF and the Korean Metal Workers' Federation extend thanks for their solidarity to the Italian metalworkers' union FIOM, Germany's IG Metall, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, the Japan Council of Metalworkers' Unions (IMF-JC), as well as the Asia Pacific Solidarity Workers' Link.
The KMWF reports that, due to this international pressure, there has been some effect on the management, resulting in more prudent treatment of the workers. However, additional support is still needed, particularly regarding:
(1) the company's continued refusal to reinstate 18 workers, including Lee Kap-yong, former president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), and Oh Jong-seoi, current vice-president of the KMWF, all of whom were dismissed because of their trade union activities;
(2) the collective bargaining negotiations, led by management's Chung Mong-jun, which are not being conducted in good faith.
The union started collective bargaining in July 2000 but had to close negotiations at the end of September, following which the union prepared a strike vote. When the union set up ballot boxes in the designated plant areas, the company prevented voting by organising hundreds of scabs who became violent with Hyundai union members, even injuring many of them.
Please support Hyundai workers by sending protest letters to:
Chung Mong-jun
Assemblyman, Korean National Assembly
No. 720, House for Members of National Assembly
No. 1 Yeoye-do-dong, Yongdeong-po-ku
Republic of Korea
Fax: (82/2) 788-3720
with a copy to:
Director, Human Resources Dept.
Hyundai Heavy Industry
No. 1 Junha-dong, Dong-ku
Ulsan, Republic of Korea
fax: (82/52) 230-3433
and to:
Korean Metal Workers' Federation
Fax: (82/2) 712-4253
e-mail: [email protected]
The KMWF reports that, due to this international pressure, there has been some effect on the management, resulting in more prudent treatment of the workers. However, additional support is still needed, particularly regarding:
(1) the company's continued refusal to reinstate 18 workers, including Lee Kap-yong, former president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), and Oh Jong-seoi, current vice-president of the KMWF, all of whom were dismissed because of their trade union activities;
(2) the collective bargaining negotiations, led by management's Chung Mong-jun, which are not being conducted in good faith.
The union started collective bargaining in July 2000 but had to close negotiations at the end of September, following which the union prepared a strike vote. When the union set up ballot boxes in the designated plant areas, the company prevented voting by organising hundreds of scabs who became violent with Hyundai union members, even injuring many of them.
Please support Hyundai workers by sending protest letters to:
Chung Mong-jun
Assemblyman, Korean National Assembly
No. 720, House for Members of National Assembly
No. 1 Yeoye-do-dong, Yongdeong-po-ku
Republic of Korea
Fax: (82/2) 788-3720
with a copy to:
Director, Human Resources Dept.
Hyundai Heavy Industry
No. 1 Junha-dong, Dong-ku
Ulsan, Republic of Korea
fax: (82/52) 230-3433
and to:
Korean Metal Workers' Federation
Fax: (82/2) 712-4253
e-mail: [email protected]