By Kim Hyun-bin
An opposition lawmaker claimed Tuesday that POSCO committed unfair labor practices to cripple its workers' recently created union.
However, the steelmaker denied this, saying its moves were part of efforts to build a solid labor-management culture
Rep. Chu Hye-seon of the minor opposition Justice Party released internal company documents revealing alleged illicit activities by POSCO _ actions believed to get rid of the union.
“This is an infringement of the Constitution and a criminal act which needs to be addressed, and the people who were involved should be punished.” Chu said at a press conference at the National Assembly.
Since its establishment in 1968, POSCO had operated without a union, but one was formed last week under the stewardship of the Korean Metal Workers' Union _ part of the hard-line Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.
Many workers are accusing the POSCO management of trying to remove the union by perpetrating unfair practices.
According to the documents, unveiled by the lawmaker, one appears to have been written for field managers stressing negative images of the union, and describing it as a “belligerent” organization that would destroy the company. The other was about spurring negative sentiment toward the union among employees.
The documents also included notes from senior management that were taken during their discussions on the documents.
“To see if our logic is passed on to regular employees, we should select a department for a test run,” one note stated. “The administrative deputy manager or the steel manufacturing head should be made clear of the mission,” another noted.
Chu believes this proves that senior management officials at the steelmaker were involved in efforts to comprehensively undermine the union.
“Only a week after the establishment of the union there were signs of criminal acts to dismantle it,” Chu said. “POSCO CEO Choi Jeong-woo, who vowed to conduct a healthy dialogue with the union, needs to respond to these documents.”
“We have assured the union the right to act freely and that there was no prejudice toward certain labor groups. POSCO fully abides by the law and principles when handling business affairs,” POSCO said.
Over the weekend, a few members of the union stole critical documents from POSCO Group University, which were given to Chu.
In response to this POSCO said union members should to stick to labor activities, and cannot justify violence or burglary.
“The union is trying to hide its criminal acts and is misleading the people that the labor-management culture group has been conducting unfair labor practices,” the company added. “The people who stole the documents have a record of being involved in political activities, and they will be thoroughly investigated by the police and punished accordingly. The company will also question those involved and strictly punish them under the appropriate internal regulations.”