Some 18,000 Striking workers and their families of the Two Banks meet Christmas at the Kookminbank Education Centre
Striking workers of Kookminbank and Housing & Commerce Bank, who have gone on strike since the evening of December 21, met Christmas at Kookminbank Education Centre, place of strike.
Source : FKTU
FKTU Newsletter � 25 December, 2000
[3rd issue]
Striking workers of Kookminbank and Housing & Commerce Bank, who have gone on strike since the evening of December 21, met Christmas at Kookminbank Education Centre, place of strike. At Christmas eve, the Controlling Team of the strike had an event for a Christian worship with some cakes. As Lee, Yong-Duk, President of Financial and Banking Industry Union, who didn뭪 attend the worship due to warrant of arrest, had a speech by recorded tape, most of participants at the worship dropped tears from the eyes due to a dramatic mood. At Christmas day, many families, bought clothes and food to their wifes and husbands, visited the Education Centre. For a while, the visiting families and strikers have confronted with the police controlling the gate of the Education Centre, but later on the police allowed the visitors to meet the striking families. It is a white Christmas in Korea. However, it is not pleasant Christmas for the strikers. It is extremely cold. Thus, there was an accident. Seven persons who slept with coal fire were affected by CO gas of coal. Fortunately, they have been recovered from the affection after a-day-treatment at a hospital. Then, they rejoined the strike.
On December 24, around 1,050 Deputy General Managers of Kookminbank and Housing & Commerce Bank had an emergency meeting to discuss on the current situation. Calling for the resign of Chairmen of the two Banks and withdrawal of the decision of Merger, Deputy General Managers decided to support and join the strike. Some 350 persons in the area of Seoul Metropolitan cities joined the strike immediately. So far, there is no agitation and no escapers from the Centre.
So far, there is no official negotiation with both government officerss and bank Chairmen. At unofficial negotiation with government officers, there is no further development. In this situation, the Financial and Banking Industry Union will have an emergency meeting to discuss about their future measurements at 16:00 on December 25 at FKTU headquarters. In the meantime, there is some rumor that the police will exert its strategy to disperse the strike sooner or later. At the same time, newspapers report on that Blue House is under serious consideration of how to solve the problem. At present, it is estimated that the strike will be continued until at least December 28, if the government could not present any amended proposal, which is to withdraw the decision of merger.
The demand of workers is simply the withdrawal of the decision that Chairmen of the Two Banks suddenly announced the merger without any advance consultation with union representatives. Workers of the Two Banks are even small shareholders, but as accumulated all stocks, they are also big shareholders. They as employees and shareholders have a right, not only to know what happen their banks but also to participate in the policy and decision-making process.
You can see the whole process of strike through virtual media of FKTU internet homepage www.fktu.or.kr. Please click on the photos of cover page.
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