[Affiliates’ News] Korea Federation of Public Services & Transportation Workers Union (KPTU).

 

Oppression against the Korean Railway Workers' Union

Oppression against the Korean Railway Workers' Union for their strike last year is still ongoing. Despite the withdrawal of the strike, employer Korea Railroad (Korail) announced to complete the reprimand of around 11,000 strike participants within this month. As of late last month (February), 193 union officials and other union members were fired and dismissed. In addition, a total of some 7,400 were punished (suspension from the office: 435, wage cut: some 6000, rebuke: some 800). Korail filed a lawsuit against the trade union and union members for damages of $765 million.

 

KTWU held a rally to denounce Kumho Group                 

On March 5, over 300 members of the Korean Transport Workers’ Union, including Asiana Airline workers, held a rally to denounce Kumho Group and its affiliate Asiana Airline for their neglecting labor unions and transferring the results of lax management to workers. In 2009 collective bargaining, the Asiana Airline trade union demanded the employer to increase wage at a reasonable level and to stop the union oppression. Workers showed respect to management’s opinion and waited until this year; however, management totally ignored the union and excluded its members from being promoted. Moreover, the Asiana Airline unilaterally ordered union representatives to return to work.

 

2010 Care Workers Rally

In commemoration of the 102nd Women’s Day the 2010 Care Workers Rally' took place in March 6 at the center of Seoul. More than 300 participants consisting of long-term care workers, sick nurses, preschool teachers and guide helpers gathered and argued that public, non-profit organizations run the long-term care services, not private ones.

The KPSU, political parties and civic organizations have waged a campaign to make sure female precarious workers such as building cleaners and long-term caregivers can have a right to hot meal since March 3. These workers are already suffering from low wage, instability, discrimination and lack of labor rights. Moreover, in most cases, they have no room to stretch their legs and have to pour boiling water into frozen food in a lunch box to have a meal. This campaign is to recover them their abandoned rights. ■

 

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