From: David
Hickmott [DHickmott@uli-atl.com]
Sent: Thursday,
November 15, 2007 6:51 AM
To: David
Hickmott
Cc: David
Hickmott; David Hickmott
Subject: FW:
[Fwd: The Strike by Rail & Truck Drivers Union in Korea - Nov.16,2007]
Dear Valued Unique Customer,
The below messages are sent from our Unique Korea office with
regard to rail&truck strike in Korea. If you have any business from
Korea, please see the below e-mail as reference.
Thank you for your support of Unique Logistics
International. We appreciate and value your business!
Best
Regards
David
Hickmott - Executive Vice President
ph#404-767-0500
(ext 306)
Mobile#
678-478-6604
Fax#
404-767-3319
-------- Original Message --------
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Subject: |
The Strike by Rail & Truck Drivers Union in Korea - Nov.16,2007 |
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Date: |
Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:51:53 +0900 |
Dear Jenny,
Pls disseminate to all partners.
Updated information as of Nov.15, 2007
To Valuable partners,
The negotiation between government and unions is failed this afternoon and the strike probably to go from am 4:00 Nov.16 unfortunately, if fails overnight negotiation lastly.
In our experience, unions usually do it on the first day and decide next action depending on how many union members are participating in the first day.
Will revert further developments.
Pls refer following updated information in newspaper.
KORAIL warns against Strike
State-run railway operator KORAIL threatened to deal sternly with its labor union if workers go ahead with a massive walkout scheduled to begin on Friday.
"We will take serious action, not only against the union leaders, but all participants in the strike. The labor union has no justifiable eason to cause trouble to the citizens," said Lee Chul, the company's president, during a press conference in central Seoul. "If they go on strike, we will not make concessions, ven if we suffer from unbearable pain."
The labor union plans to launch a nationwide strike at 4 a.m. Friday if management and the union fail to settle their dispute.
The workers are demanding higher wages, improved working conditions and the rehiring of employees who lost their jobs as a result of restructuring or due to their volvement in illegal strikes.
"There are two main issues that are stressed by the labor union as a condition for calling off the strike, but these are impossible for us to agree on," he said, indicating that the two matters cannot be specified at this point. "This makes us fall into despair, and that is why I had to read my letter to the nation and make an appeal today."
The strike is likely to cause major traffic congestion and other logistical disruption throughout the nation. The train-operating rate is expected to fall to 33 percent of its normal level. Currently, a total of 2,653 train services run every day, but this is expected to be reduced to 877 during the strike.
Also, only 40 percent of the subways in the metropolitan area, and about 37 percent of the express trains will be running, officials said.
The company will be able to mobilize a total of 7,568 replacement workers, which is equivalent to 31 percent of its workforce, said officials. KORAIL has created an emergency situation room and conducted safety training for the soldiers who would offer support during the strike.
"If the workers decide to push for the strike, even during the mediation period, I'm ready to do what's necessary to establish order."
Earlier this month, the government referred the KORAIL labor dispute to an independent committee for arbitration. During the mediation period, collective action is banned, and both sides have to accept the commission's compromise plan, which will be issued this week.
By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldm.com) 2007.11.15
Best Regards,