Court: 6 fired YTN workers must be reinstated to jobs
Published: 14 Nov. 2009, 02:43
Seoul Central District Court ruled yesterday that YTN, a 24-hour cable news network in Seoul, must nullify its decision to fire six union workers who waged a collective action against the company. The employees, including the union head Noh Jong-myeon, will gain back their jobs.
But the court rejected requests from the 14 other workers who also participated in the action. They were either suspended or had their salaries cut for a limited period and had asked the court to reverse the decisions.
“Given that Noh and some other union members opposing the company’s appointment of a person who supported a specific presidential candidate were motivated by a desire for political neutrality, the company’s action has an element of illegality,” said the court. “However, the argument that other punitive measures against union workers by the company was out of retaliation is unacceptable.”
After YTN shareholders seated Gu Bon-hong, a former journalist with MBC, a major broadcasting station, as chief executive in July 2008, the labor union protested, claiming that by designating Gu the Lee Myung-bak administration was trying to control the news channel. Gu is a former aide to Lee. The unionists blocked Gu’s entrance to company headquarters in central Seoul and occupied his office. He was forced to work at a nearby office until December.
The incident led to the firing of the six YTN staff members, while others were suspended or subject to other internal disciplinary measures, igniting in-house turmoil between management and labor. Gu stepped down in August of this year.
Upon hearing the ruling, Noh said he hoped labor-management tension at YTN will end. He faced separate criminal charges including obstruction of business and was sentenced to a 10 million won ($8,168) fine in September.
In July, the International Federation of Journalists called on YTN management to show goodwill by reinstating the fired employees. Almost 60 percent of YTN’s shares are owned by four state-controlled companies that the government has been seeking to sell to the private sector.
Separately, Seoul Administrative Court ruled Thursday in favor of Jung Yun-joo, former president of the nation’s largest public broadcaster, KBS. Jung filed a lawsuit against President Lee for dismissing him for alleged poor management in 2008. However, it is unlikely that he will resume the post because he was set to finish his official term at the end of this year.
By Seo Ji-eun [[email protected]]
But the court rejected requests from the 14 other workers who also participated in the action. They were either suspended or had their salaries cut for a limited period and had asked the court to reverse the decisions.
“Given that Noh and some other union members opposing the company’s appointment of a person who supported a specific presidential candidate were motivated by a desire for political neutrality, the company’s action has an element of illegality,” said the court. “However, the argument that other punitive measures against union workers by the company was out of retaliation is unacceptable.”
After YTN shareholders seated Gu Bon-hong, a former journalist with MBC, a major broadcasting station, as chief executive in July 2008, the labor union protested, claiming that by designating Gu the Lee Myung-bak administration was trying to control the news channel. Gu is a former aide to Lee. The unionists blocked Gu’s entrance to company headquarters in central Seoul and occupied his office. He was forced to work at a nearby office until December.
The incident led to the firing of the six YTN staff members, while others were suspended or subject to other internal disciplinary measures, igniting in-house turmoil between management and labor. Gu stepped down in August of this year.
Upon hearing the ruling, Noh said he hoped labor-management tension at YTN will end. He faced separate criminal charges including obstruction of business and was sentenced to a 10 million won ($8,168) fine in September.
In July, the International Federation of Journalists called on YTN management to show goodwill by reinstating the fired employees. Almost 60 percent of YTN’s shares are owned by four state-controlled companies that the government has been seeking to sell to the private sector.
Separately, Seoul Administrative Court ruled Thursday in favor of Jung Yun-joo, former president of the nation’s largest public broadcaster, KBS. Jung filed a lawsuit against President Lee for dismissing him for alleged poor management in 2008. However, it is unlikely that he will resume the post because he was set to finish his official term at the end of this year.
By Seo Ji-eun [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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