The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Fri, August 19, 2022 | 13:48
Civil Servant Group Withdraws From Militant Umbrella Union
Posted : 2009-11-13 21:13
Updated : 2009-11-13 21:13
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Unionists of the Ministry of Environment, Wednesday, withdrew from the Korean Government Employees' Union and its umbrella union ― the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.

The move is expected to cause an "exodus" of other public officials' unions, which have been under constant suppression and warnings from their employers. Authorities said those joining the collective action of the umbrella unions would be prosecuted.

According to the ministry, 684 out of 821 people who participated in the vote, or 83.3 percent, wanted to withdraw their names from membership in the hawkish KCTU. "We will focus on improving workers' welfare and rights while keeping political neutrality," a leader of the environmental ministry's union said. He said his union was willing to join hands with other civil servants unions that leave the KCTU.

Similar votes are scheduled at the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service; and the National Statistical Office throughout the week, with a total of 6,000 expected participants. If they decide to leave the KGEU, it could be a major shake up for the group, which is planning to select new leadership next week.

The withdrawal is a huge blow to the KCTU, which is planning a general strike to protest against the government's attempt to implement a labor law that would abolish the payment of wages to full-time unionists by employers and allow only one negotiation channel for unions at workplaces.

The KCTU and its dovish partner the Federation of Korean Trade Unions are in six-party talks with representatives from the labor ministry and business leaders until Nov. 25. While the administrators and businessmen are poised to push the law into effect, the labor groups are asking to scrap it.

Lim Sung-kyu, head of the KCTU, recently said that the group would drop the talks should authorities continue to "threaten" its workers.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
 
LG
  • Suga of BTS remakes Galaxy's signature ringtone
  • Korean businesses pressure gov't to lower inheritance tax
  • Hit TV series leads to surge in visitors to southern region of Korea seeking glimpse of dolphins
  • Seoul to provide subsidies to households with babysitting grandparents
  • Government struggles to handle unused coronavirus vaccines
  • Minister rebuked for 'submissive' stance toward Japan
  • Yoon to reshuffle presidential office to regain public trust
  • Household income grows at record pace amid soaring inflation
  • Shinsegae to open integrated shopping mall in Gwangju
  • Authorities to ban access to unauthorized foreign crypto exchanges
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • 'Mukbang' binge-eating shows give way to new trend of eating little 'Mukbang' binge-eating shows give way to new trend of eating little
    • [INTERVIEW] YouTubers bridge Korean, Muslim and Latin American cultures [INTERVIEW] YouTubers bridge Korean, Muslim and Latin American cultures
    • [INTERVIEW] Jung Woo shapes his character for Netflix's 'A Model Family' [INTERVIEW] Jung Woo shapes his character for Netflix's 'A Model Family'
    • NCT Jaehyun drops first solo single 'Forever Only' NCT Jaehyun drops first solo single 'Forever Only'
    • Artist Do Ho Suh invites children to his clay fairyland Artist Do Ho Suh invites children to his clay fairyland
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group