A subcontractor labor union at Hanwha Ocean (042660.KS) has become the first subcontractor union to gain a legal right to strike since the revised Labor Union Act took effect in March this year.
According to the Korean Metal Workers' Union on Tuesday, the Gyeongnam Regional Labor Relations Commission decided that day to suspend mediation in a case involving the Wellive branch and the Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractor branch, both affiliated with the Metal Workers' Union, in their industrial action petition against Hanwha Ocean. A union that receives a mediation suspension decision — issued when labor and management cannot reach an agreement — gains a legal right to strike. The Wellive branch passed a strike proposal through a members' vote, and the Geoje-Tongyeong branch will conclude its strike vote on Wednesday. This marks the first time a subcontractor union has gained a legal right to strike against a prime contractor since the revised Labor Union Act took effect.
The two subcontractor unions plan to decide on a strike depending on whether Hanwha Ocean engages in bargaining. However, it remains uncertain whether Hanwha Ocean will respond to bargaining. After the unions' demand for bargaining was rejected following the enforcement of the revised Labor Union Act, the two unions were recognized by the Gyeongnam Regional Labor Relations Commission and the National Labor Relations Commission as having a legal right to demand bargaining (the prime contractor's employer status). However, Hanwha Ocean has not responded to bargaining.
The two subcontractor unions said, "We will demand the 11th round of collective bargaining from Hanwha Ocean," adding, "If it continues to refuse collective bargaining, we will launch a joint strike."
