(EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Aug. 3)

More selfishness at Ssangyong

Negotiations between the Ssangyong Motor labor union and management have broken
down. They???ve had lengthy negotiations for the past four days on how to rescue
laid-off workers, but have failed to come to an agreement.

Although both the labor union and management must take responsibility for the
breakdown in negotiations, the labor union has greater responsibility since it
has only pushed its arguments ahead. Even though the current strike is illegal,
management presented its final offer to rescue 40 percent of laid-off workers by
giving them a choice to take unpaid leave, considering the potential impact on
the people concerned, not to mention the local economy.
Even though the offer will have negative repercussions for the court???s decision
on whether the company should be revived or not, a decision scheduled to be
handed down Sept. 15, the company went ahead with its suggestion.
But the labor union has stuck to its demand that all of the workers keep their
jobs and turned the offer down. The unionized workers are only trying to save
themselves and do not care about anyone else. It is the height of selfish
behavior.
If the company closes, it will be not just be the unionized workers participating
in the protest who lose their jobs, but also their colleagues, whose job losses
could be prevented.
Who will take responsibility for the employees of the automaker's partner
companies and area residents?
There is only one way. The Ssangyong Motor issue must be resolved according to
the law and market principles. If the situation becomes protracted, the damage to
innocent people will only increase. Ssangyong???s partner companies are
reportedly appealing for bankruptcy protection. The court must evaluate the
companies??? value with accuracy and decide as soon as possible whether they
should go bankrupt or not.
Meanwhile, the judicial authorities must work to restore order. When an illegal
strike continues for weeks and protestors wield weapons in broad daylight, can
our country really be considered a constitutional one? Foreign investors are
already sick and tired of our militant labor unions and avoid investing in Korea.
It is terrible to imagine what they will make of the current situation.
It is also very important to know how the issue should be handled once it is
resolved. The practice of staging strikes with the idea that physical power is
stronger than the law must end. If not, there will be a second and a third
Ssangyong Motor affair. The judicial authorities must root out the unionized
workers who caused casualties and economic damage in the course of the illegal
strike and punish them in accordance with civil and criminal law.
(EN