Tugboat Union Withdraws From KCTU

Unionized tugboat captains in Ulsan Port have decided to withdraw their memberships from the progressive Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Thursday. The decision is expected to help normalize operations at the the industrial port that has struggled with a 160-day strike.

According to the unionized workers, 87 out of 98 members have agreed to drop their membership from the hawkish umbrella union and decided to establish an independent union.

The drivers formed a labor union last June and joined the KCTU. They have been on strike since then, asking for the vessel management to acknowledge their interest group. However, the management responded by shutting down the workplace, requesting their withdrawal.