Medical Unionists Launch Strike
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The Korea Health and Medical Workers' Union (KHMWU) began a partial strike regarding American beef used in patients' meals while also calling for a pay raise and the hiring of more personnel.
The heads of the union gathered at Yeungnam University Medical Center in Daegu and announced the action.
However, the KHMWU said the strike will be low-key, giving minimal damage to hospital management this week as other members are still arbitrating.
Also the absence of four major hospitals ㅡ Seoul National University Hospital, Yonsei Severance Hospital, Asan Medical center and Samsung Medical Center ㅡ will mean the strike is subdued, analysts said.
Nurses and therapists from 103 hospitals, except those from emergency rooms, intensive care units and some others, are participating in the strike.
Hospital management and union heads have been in marathon negotiations at the National Labor Relations Commission for more than a week, but have failed to find common ground. Individual workplaces are facing negotiations.