A bus company in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, is under investigation for allegedly creating a sham union to undermine a legitimate labor union, leading to accusations of unfair labor practices.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor's Bucheon branch has initiated an investigation into a bus company embroiled in allegations of creating a company union to dismantle a legitimate labor union. The allegations stem from complaints submitted by the Gyeonggi Automotive Union, which detail how management had spearheaded the establishment of an enterprise union with the intent of weakening the established union's influence by preparing essential documentation and organizing the founding assembly on their behalf. Moreover, a statement from a former chairman of the newly established company union corroborates the claims, stating that management played a key role in preparing all necessary measures for the union's establishment and that employees who joined the Gyeonggi Automotive Union were deliberately not renewed for contracts once their terms expired, while contracts were preferentially renewed for members of the company union.
In addition, private communications obtained by Hankyoreh revealed that management discussed strategies for inducing key members of the Gyeonggi Automotive Union to leave the union, while also isolating them by manipulating their vehicle dispatch assignments. One particular exchange indicated that management planned to create justifications for persuading a significant union member to resign, and another part of the conversation discussed the effectiveness of utilizing dispatch assignments to segregate union members from their original routes. This strategic approach appears to have had an immediate influence on union recruitment and cohesion, with reports of fewer new hires joining the Gyeonggi Automotive Union for fear of retaliation.
The unfolding situation raises significant concerns over labor rights in the region, with the Gyeonggi Automotive Union highlighting the detrimental impacts on their assembly and recruitment efforts, asserting that key union members were systematically sidelined in favor of the newly formed company union. The investigation by the labor authorities is expected to explore deeper implications for workplace practices and the integrity of labor relations in South Korea, particularly in the face of ongoing challenges faced by labor organizations in securing fair treatment and recognition in their industries.
