hankyoreh

The Ssangyong Motors labor union convened a general assembly meeting yesterday and voted to leave the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). This vote comes just one month after a compromise was struck between union and management, and follows a fierce battle waged over mass layoffs. First, we must guard against focusing on the hard line of the KCTU during the Ssangyong Motors strike, for it would only serve to highlight labor’s problems while obscuring mistakes made by the company and government, which cannot avoid taking responsibility for driving the Ssangyong strike to an extreme. If fault is found with the union’s hard-line, then criticism for the company’s and government’s refusal to compromise must also follow.

Although labor and management previously worked together to save the company through their dramatic compromise, since the strike, the situation has taken a completely different direction. Just two days after the compromise, 94 unionists who participated in the strike were laid off or given vacation notices. It has been said that union leaders are being blocked from entering the factory. Yesterday’s general assembly took place with the union leadership in virtual collapse. With the existing union leadership raising procedural issues concerning the vote, controversy surrounding the validity of the decision is expected.

Still, to overlook the importance of this decision that had the support of many unionists would be a mistake. We must seriously consider the significance of their decision. The leaders of the general assembly claim the only way to save Ssangyong Motors is to leave the KCTU. They believe Ssangyong Motors has been caught in a political struggle led by the KCTU and Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU).

Criticisms have also been voiced towards KCTU and Korean Metal Workers’ Union for completely different reasons. Criticism that the umbrella unions failed to help resolve the situation or properly support the workers’ struggle is being heard among those who actively participated in the Ssangyong strike or supported it. In addition, there is also criticism that the umbrella union has been on the sidelines as a spectator since the end of the strike. The background stories and reasons may differ, but the criticisms are all similar in their reflection of distrust of the umbrella union.

Accordingly, labor leadership should seriously reflect upon why it is on the receiving end of distrust and criticism from unionists who participate in the labor struggle. Of course, the umbrella union must consider not only the issues of individual workplaces, but also issues being raised throughout the labor sector. Since labor issues closely relate to politics and the economy, a political response is also required. The basis of the labor movement lies in the trust and support of unionists. Labor must ruminate over the fact that a labor movement marked by distrust from laborers is as good as dead.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]