Mass Strikes Against Big Deal Are Spreading

Symptoms are appearing that could, if untreated, spread to full-blown mass strikes disrupting the current implementation of so-called big deals by chaebol companies.
Workers, accustomed to 100 percent job security, are resisting big-deal plans which among other things call for massive layoffs in the manufacturing sector.
Unions at Daewoo Electronics, which will be handed over to Samsung Group in exchange for Daewoo Group's acquiring Samsung Motors, went on temporary strike on January 19 and 20, but decided on a general strike at Daewoo factories located in Kumi, Inchon and Kwangju on the 22nd.
Samsung Motors has had production stopped since early December 1998 when 3,000 workers went on strike. Those same workers came to Seoul on January 22 and held a mass rally in front of Seoul Station, renouncing the government-sponsored big deal.
LG Semiconductor which is scheduled to merge with Hyundai Electronics saw its workforce stage a slow-down that effectively reduced production by more than 50 percent in an effort to oppose the big deal. LG's employees fear massive layoffs will follow the big deal's completion. They are demanding increased benefits for those taking early retirement.(photo)