Korean Government
Employees’ Union
leader Yang Sung-yun |
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
A labor union for civil servants was long in the works, coming after a five-decades-long fight before it received permission in 2002. Another three years of struggle was needed before gaining recognition from the government.
But the ordeal didn’t end there.
Last month, the labor union joined an anti-government umbrella group, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).
The government declared their consolidation illegal and anybody joining the collective action would be heavily disciplined.
Last week, members among the employees of the Ministry of Environment decided to withdraw, a development widely expected to trigger mass desertions.
At this critical juncture, Yang Sung-yun was elected president of the Korean Government Employees’ Union (KGEU) ― on Wednesday ― winning more than 93 percent of the 70,210 valid votes. He will lead more than 120,000 members for two years.
At a press conference held Thursday, Yang showed confidence in the group’s future. “The government has always tried to suppress us. We have always overcome it,” he said.
The government has denounced the KCTU for its lack of political neutrality and violent demonstrations. Yang admitted that the umbrella union may need some change.
“We may need to soften and systemize the approach. But joining the KCTU was a decision by a majority of the members. We will stick to it,” he said.
Yang also hinted at the union’s clash with and struggle against its employers.
The KCTU and its erstwhile rival, the pro-government Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), are moving in a rare show of solidarity, arguing that about 1.5 million of their members will stage a general strike no later than the end of the year.
“Since we belong to the KCTU, we, too, stand by its policies. However, civil servants are banned from striking according to the law. We will support the umbrella union in ways that are not illegal,” he said.
Yang works for the Yangcheon District Office in Seoul. He is blacklisted by the government for having participated in public workers’ collective call for the government to change its employers-oriented policies.
The Ministry of Public Administration and Security will likely come up with a decision to penalize Yang during deliberations next week. If he gets fired or suspended, Yang’s election could be nullified.
“If the government tries to control us, it will put the two sides on a collision course,” he said.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
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