Intensifying Labor Conflicts... Police Deepen Deliberation on 'Deployment of Public Authority'

Daewoo Shipbuilding Branch Holds Vote to Withdraw from Metalworkers' Union... 85% Turnout
If Negotiations Fail by the 22nd, Prolonged Strike Possible
Concerns Over Casualties if Public Force Deployed... Could Become Second Ssangyong Motor Strike or Yongsan Tragedy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Seongpil Cho and Byungseon Gong] The labor conflict between subcontracted workers at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) is intensifying. The police appear to be deeply considering the deployment of public authority, which could result in casualties.

The DSME branch of the Metal Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) began a vote on whether to withdraw from the Metal Workers' Union on the 21st. Voting is scheduled to continue until 1 p.m. on the 22nd, with the counting results expected later that afternoon. For the DSME branch to withdraw from the Metal Workers' Union, a majority of voter participation and at least two-thirds approval are required. As of 9:30 a.m. on the day, the DSME branch reported a voter turnout of 85%.

The reason the DSME branch initiated the withdrawal vote is dissatisfaction over being unable to work during the shipbuilding industry's boom period. The strike, which began demanding wage increases, has reached its 51st day, effectively paralyzing the workplace for nearly two months. The previous day, about 3,000 DSME regular employees held a counter-rally against the strike by the Metal Workers' Union and subcontracted workers. A DSME branch official said, "Internally, dissatisfaction with both the Metal Workers' Union and the subcontracted workers' union is rapidly growing."

However, if the vote passes, chaos is expected to be inevitable. A DSME branch official explained, "Since it is not a matter of simply maintaining the status quo with continued membership in the Metal Workers' Union, if the withdrawal actually happens, union members will be confused." A DSME official also said, "The DSME branch had a difficult time joining the Metal Workers' Union," adding, "Perhaps because of that memory, the atmosphere on site is split evenly over the withdrawal." The DSME branch held three votes on joining the Metal Workers' Union in 2002, 2003, and 2006, all of which failed, and finally joined in June 2018.

The police are considering deploying public authority. The fourth summons deadline for the subcontracted union executives, who have been sued by DSME, is on this day, and the police plan to observe the situation until then. Additionally, ongoing labor-management negotiations are also a factor to consider regarding the deployment of public authority.

If no breakthrough in negotiations occurs by the next day, the likelihood of deploying public authority is expected to increase. Starting from the 23rd, DSME employees will take a two-week summer vacation, leaving only the striking subcontracted workers at the DSME site, which will be left vacant. Given the potential for a prolonged strike, justification for deploying public authority will also arise. The police are reportedly coordinating detailed operational plans and timing of deployment with the Fire Agency.

However, concerns have been raised that deploying public authority could lead to significant casualties. In particular, Yoo Chae-an, deputy head of the Metal Workers' Union Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontracted Branch, is conducting a sit-in inside a locked cage, and it has been reported that containers suspected to contain flammable materials have been brought in. Within the police, there are worries that responsibility could be blamed on them, similar to the Saenuri Motor strike or the Yongsan tragedy, both of which resulted in numerous casualties. A police officer who was deployed during the Saenuri Motor strike suppression said, "We underwent investigations and frequently went to court due to lawsuits," adding, "If asked to enter the DSME strike suppression site, I would refuse even if promised a special promotion."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.