The KCTU held its regular convention on 13th February to finalize its action plan for 2014 including a series of rallies to oust President Park, expand the range of ordinary wage and implement a direct election system. For the 1st half of the year, the KCTU is expected to focus on its nation-wide strike in February, labor strife directed toward the special session of the National Assembly in April, and a general strike over ordinary wage in June. For the 2nd half of the year, they are planning to focus on preparations for a direct election system for the upcoming KCTU leadership election in December.
Issues at the KCTU 2014 Regular Convention
① Action plan for 2014
② Composition of the Strategic Planning Committee
③ Strategies toward the 3rd unionization plans of non-unionized•non-regular workers and fund raising ($18 Million USD)
④ Evaluation of activities and settlement of accounts for 2013
⑤ Discussion of activities and budget proposal for 2014
⑥ Discussion of the direct election system
⑦ Revision of the KCTU bylaws
⑧ Adoption of the resolution on labor strife
The KCTU launched its Committee on National Strikes on 12th February to facilitate a large-scale nationwide rally (so-called ‘national strike’) carried out on 25th February. The Committee is composed of progressive groups which include the KCTU, the Korean Peasants League, the Korean Women Peasants Association, Poverty Solidarity, Korea Youth Solidarity, the Korea Retail Merchants Association and the United Progressive Party.
After presenting a list of 25 demands to the government, the Committee carried out its ‘National Strike’ on 25th February at Seoul Plaza. The demands include guarantee of labor rights for workers and abolition of non-regular employment. However, there were not many participants from trade unions affiliated with the KCTU except for the KMWU (Korean Metal Workers’ Union), the KRWU (Korean Railway Workers’ Union), and the KHWU (Korea Health & Medical Workers’ Union).
The KEF expressed concerns of businesses on 11th February regarding the KCTU’s illegal strike.
Business Stance on KCTU’s Illegal Strikes (Summary)
․ The KCTU must stop its illegal activities.
․ The government must respond strictly to illegal strikes by the KCTU.
․ The KEF advises companies to respond to illegal KCTU strikes according to law and principle.