KCTU to visit US unions for joint discussion on blocking FTA

The leader of KCTU on 11 February 2008 embarked on a four-day trip to the United States to discuss joint action with US labour groups on blocking the ratification of a free trade agreement between the two countries.
Lee Suk-haeng, president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, is expected to meet with Sander Levin, Democrat chairman of the House Trade subcommittee, John Sweeney, president of the American Federation of Labour-Congress of Industrial Organizations, and Anna Burger, Change to Win Federation president, during his visit.
President-elect Lee Myung-bak hopes to settle the issue before his inauguration on 25 February; however such early ratification looks unlikely as pro-government party members prefer to wait until after 9 April parliamentary elections; and many lawmakers still oppose unconditional import of US beef, a key US demand.
Source: Cho Ji-kyun Korean Herald, 12 February 2008; Yonhap, 11 February 2008

Tough year ahead for Lee on labour relations

President-elect Lee Myung-bak is facing a tough year regarding labour relations, especially with KCTU.

The president-elect won support from the more moderate Federation of Korean Trade Unions during the December presidential election. However the unionized leaders of the more militant KCTU decided to boycott Lee’s inauguration on 25 February after the president-elect indefinitely and abruptly postponed his planned visit to the group’s headquarters last week. Lee met with FKTU leaders on 23 January and was scheduled to meet with leaders of the KCTU on 29 January.
Lee has stressed he would ‘not meet anyone or any organization that does not abide by law and order.’ The former business CEO repeatedly said he would not tolerate illegal and violent strikes or politically-motivated labour activities.
KCTU president Lee Suk-haeng said the president-elect’s decision to cancel their scheduled meeting hurt its workers, particularly given the group’s efforts to improve working conditions for irregular workers, and has told reporters, ‘I can only interpret Lee’s behavior as one that is directly pointing a knife at the KCTU.’
On the other hand, President-elect Lee has projected being able to create 30 million high-quality jobs, and as well as job creation, has also put creating a business-friendly environment and establishing principles at the top of his labour agenda.