[Editorial] New labor group

It is a matter of course that all labor groups, be they national or local, put the interests of workers before anything else. But the two national labor umbrella groups ― the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions ― have often been accused of pursuing their own political agenda or those of their leaders at the expense of the interests of unionized workers.

Against this backdrop, a third national labor umbrella group was launched earlier this week. In its inaugural declaration, the Korea Trade Unions Confederation said in unambiguous terms that it would steer itself away from the paths trodden by its counterparts and that it would push for job creation and productivity promotion in cooperation with employers.

As the statement indicates, the new labor group believes that it can better protect the rights of unionized workers and promote their interests by toning down calls for political struggle and emphasizing cooperation with corporate employers. It goes without saying that the new style of labor movement cannot prevail unless the labor group’s goodwill is reciprocated by corporations.

In the past, it has not been uncommon for labor leaders to mobilize unionized workers for protest rallies on political issues that have no direct bearing on the welfare of workers and their working conditions. Some have run for public office or lined their pockets. Their pursuit of personal interests has apparently contributed to the decline in the rate of unionization, from the 1989 peak of 19.8 percent to 10.1 percent last year.

No wonder the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions are discredited by many of the new labor unions that have been created since July, when more than one union was allowed at the same worksite. Of the 498 new unions, only 72 have chosen to join either of the two umbrella groups.

The new group, with 30,000 workers under its wing, is no match yet for the Federation of Korean Trade Unions with 740,000 and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions with 590,000. Still, it is bringing a change to Korea’s labor movement. To speed up the change, it needs to draw into its fold like-minded unions, such as those at Hyundai Heavy Industries and KT that are not affiliated with any umbrella group.