[vol.15] VOICES FROM THE WORKPLACE_ For the day when I can work again
WORKING WOMAN 2008. 3. 20. 11:45- 60 days of fighting for the continuation of employment and our labor union
Sun-mi Choi (Dong Hae Business Union treasurer)
"Will we see this oil stove again when winter comes?" I murmur these sad word to myself as the company requests for the stove to be returned.
On March 20th, the Japanese multinational enterprise, Korea Omuron Electronics Company took over Dong Hae (a labor union established in 1989, located at Kuro-No 3 industrial complex area).
Afte Korea Omuron Electronics Company took over and President Chae Chul took office, the company carried out previous plans to enforce the reduction of employee bonuses and to dissolve the existing labor union. In order to carry out these actions, the company demanded that workers sign a new employee contract which stipulated the revised terms of employment. The chairperson of Dong Hae and eight other workers refused to sign the contract.
The company immediately fired these nine workers. Dong Hae called the company's actions a violation of the labor law. They began striking all night to protest the company's unfair dismissals and to convince the company to rehire the nine dismissed workers. Two months later, the strikers continue to protest.
- Multinational enterprises which do not guarantee the continuation of employment and the labor union
Korea Omuron Electronics only took over that which had commercial value. They preserved the existing machine equipment such as the provision installation line, which produces relay units. They also continued to supply their products to Hyundai motors.
However, since Korea Omuron Electronics disguised the transferable take over of the business as a property assets sales contract, they were not required to guarantee the continuation of employment for existing workers or the independent trade union.
Thus, when they took over operations, they insisted that workers agree to their labor policies by signing a new employee contract. All those who refused were terminated. To fight the company's unfair dismissals, the union members continue to work together, even though they they cannot predict when they will be taken way from the union office and thrown out into streets.
So far, due to the company's manipulative intervention, one union official was dragged out by her parents during the strike. Since the company is guarding the union office, the union members find it impossible to communicate effectively with the office.
Thus, it is difficult for union members to reach each other. Presently, there are only 6 persons left striking. They are all union officials and they are all women.
In order to resolve the situation, the trade union has requested to negotiate with management several times. However, Korea Omuron Market said they are not legally responsible, thus they are not in a position to accede to negotiation until the Dstrict Labor Relations Board makes a decision.
Under such difficult conditions, there is nothing else left to do but continue fighting. They have waged a morning propaganda advertising campaign, a protest rally in front of the house of the president of the company, a rally of the agencies, a protest rally of the Ministry of Labor, an eggs-throwing protest, and fights through tonsure of the chairman, burning at the stake, stakes etc.
- An example of collapsing small and medium enterprises in the IMF era
Nearly 2 months has passed since we started the fight against Korea Omuron Electronics which was ignited with the anger of just 6 people who knew how to fight. In the beginning, I reproached those union members who did not join in the fight of the trade union.
I was angry, but I realized that I should not waste precious energy and effort on such personal matters. When larger companies take over smaller companies, job security for workers must be guaranteed by the law. Dong Hae is a good example of how small & medium enterprises collapse and become the hunting target of foreign multinationals under the current IMF political situation.
There must be a re-examination of the inhumane oppression by multinationals and the hostile enforcement of ordinance and legislative bills which permits M&A to abuse and eat up all of our money market, banking, and finance enterprises along with the general economy at cheap prices. The abusive actions of multinationals drive workers out into the cold streets and leave them with no means to support themselves.
Also, the unlawful and expediential dismissal of employees after company take-overs should be stopped and workers must be guaranteed stable employment. I cannot give up so easily in this struggle. I feel a sense of responsibility. There should not be another Sam Mi special steel case. Every day I tie my head band tightly and continue to fight.
- Never-ending fight , fight
Every single day, local comrades have organized support visits and groups of defenders. Their passionate comrade spirit has helped support our fight. Throughout the two months of our all-night strike, we have not given up this exhausting fight.
Our Dong Hae trade union defenders' fight will be the model solidarity fight. In an attempt to win over other union members, the company has used distorted propaganda telling other workers that the trade union's actions will threaten the company's economic health.
They have also threatened workers by contacting workers' parents at home. However, we will not submit to the company's threats and unjust tactics. We continue to endure the struggle. Although the fight at the moment is difficult and lonely, rather than compromising, we are going to fulfill our demands through our workers' pride and strong will. Our demands are pure and imminent. We are fighting 'till the day we can go back to the site and work together with the members.