By Kim Jae-won
About 2,600 unionized members of SC First Bank have returned to work after a two-month “resort strike.”
Their return, however, means neither a victory for management nor an end to their conflict, as the union has vowed to exercise its right to act collectively.
Some in the affiliate of the British banking group Standard Chartered say that the union has stuck to a lawful code of conduct in contrast to militant behavior shown by unions in the past.
“The problem with SC is that the union and management don’t act as expected,” one employee pointed out. He explained that the union has adhered to the legalities of their action, leaving no room for management to call in outside help, while management, led by its CEO Richard Hill, is ready to give up its privileges.
“This makes for a standstill,” the employee commented.
But it doesn’t mean that the two opposing parties are doing nothing but rather they are engaged in low intensity rhetorical warfare aimed at putting pressure on the other side.
Kim Jae-yul, chairman of the union, accused management of discriminating against unionized workers, forcing them to write oaths not to take part in strikes.
“This is illegal. Management did not allow unionized workers access to internal computer servers before signing a statement, which promises not to join the strike,” said Kim.
“It is time to stand up and express your anger to co-workers and customers,” said another union leader during a one-day walkout last week in downtown Seoul, across the street from SC First’s headquarters building.
Meanwhile, SC management said it has yielded as much as it can in terms of how to implement the merit payment system, and the ball is now in the union’s court.
“We accepted the union’s demand for team-based performance to be reflected in the evaluation system. We wish the union will come back to the table as soon as possible,” said Park Chong-hoon, chief spokesman.
Park denied that management is requiring workers to write oaths of allegiance but statements pledging to protect customers after resuming regular work after two months of absence.
Management and union seem to share no common ground except repeatedly arguing their counterpart’s responsibility for the situation, which customers have faced since late June.
The sixth-largest commercial lender shut down 42 branches due to the prolonged strike, and customers have complained of a delay of services at the other operating outlets.
The two parties need to acknowledge that customers deserve convenient and fast services and they have already endured more than 60 days of inconvenience, industry officials said.
If the bank is unable to resolve its internal problems, customers could lose their trust in the bank, and withdraw more of their money, which may hurt the SC First’s performance and future competitiveness. Both management and union appear to be least concerned about their customers.