Mass Strikes Loom Large

Symptoms of mass strikes are appearing.
The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions(KCTU) made their case for strikes at mass rallies on March 27 and 28.
The two unions have held firm to the position that if the government and management sides do not suspend restructuring measures in various setors and reduce working hours, they will go on strike in April.
Accordingly, it is forecasted that it will be difficult to normalize the activities of the tripartite committee- which consists of representatives from labor, management and government- and revive an effective dialogue to close the gaping chasm that exists between them until May, when the mass strikes are expected to conclude.
Labor feels it is necessary to push a strong position in order to make its requests heard by the government and management sides.
Concerning the matter, the government judges that there are limits to what it can do to avoid the crippling strikes. Most experts feel the gap is too large to easily mend.
Accordingly, the government deems that some strikes are inevitable, but it is trying to drum up public opinion to resolve the strike actions.
Hyeong Ki Kim : myriad@joongang.co.kr