As Shipbuilding Industry’s Autumn Labor Struggle Winds Down, High-Altitude Sit-In Takes Place... Hanwha Ocean Says, "We Deeply Regret Such Extreme Measures"

[Financial News] The shipbuilding industry’s autumn labor struggle, or “Chutu,” which had escalated into a potential industrywide general strike, is entering its final phase after labor and management at the industry leader HD Hyundai Heavy Industries reached a tentative agreement. Meanwhile, subcontractor workers staged a high-altitude sit-in at a Hanwha Ocean site, where negotiations are still underway. Hanwha Ocean expressed regret.
According to industry sources on the 1st, six members of the KMWU’s Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractors’ Branch, including branch head Kang In-seok, occupied a crane and a factory rooftop near Hanwha Ocean’s west gate in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, the previous day. They staged the high-altitude sit-in to demand direct collective bargaining with Hanwha Ocean.
Hanwha Ocean issued a statement in response, stressing that, regardless of the issue of its bargaining obligations toward the subcontractors’ branch, the occupation was illegal and could not be considered legitimate industrial action. The company also criticized the protest, saying it could disrupt production and threaten the safety of workers at the site.
Hanwha Ocean said, "Occupying a crane, an essential production facility in operation, while demanding performance bonuses is an illegal occupation that goes far beyond the level of legitimacy normally afforded to industrial action. It is clearly a violation of the Trade Union Act and constitutes obstruction of business. Efforts to coexist and responses to illegal acts are separate matters. We will continue working to improve the treatment of subcontractor workers, but we will respond firmly to illegal acts and conduct that threatens safety in accordance with the law and principles."
Regarding the application for a stay of execution and the administrative lawsuit at issue for the branch, Hanwha Ocean explained that these are procedures to clarify the scope in which the primary contractor and subcontractors can be recognized as employers. Specifically, the issue is whether the Welliv Branch, whose members are workers at subcontractors responsible for catering and facility management at the site, should be recognized as a bargaining counterpart.
Hanwha Ocean said, "We have clearly stated on multiple occasions that we are willing to negotiate with the subcontractors’ branch. If a court rules that (the Welliv Branch) also has the right to bargain, we will respect that decision and proceed with the follow-up procedures. If the branch changes its position and says it will negotiate solely with us, we are willing to enter talks immediately, even now."
Among the major shipbuilding companies, Hanwha Ocean is the only one where labor-management negotiations are still ongoing. Labor and management at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries reached a tentative agreement the previous day, shortly before President Lee Jae Myung visited the company’s Ulsan plant. The agreement is scheduled to be put to a vote on the 2nd. Hanwha Ocean’s labor and management have been negotiating daily since the 29th.
[email protected] Kim Yun-ho Reporter