Korea Herald article on the KCTU...

In response to the news of the KT pulling out of the KCTU, the Korea Herald has written an article wondering if this is a sign that the KCTU needs to change its confrontational tactics.

Because of its hard-line stance, the confederation has been criticized frequently by the government, businesses and conservatives. Especially the current Lee Myung-bak administration has maintained its firm stance on violent labor demonstrations, refusing to negotiate with the KCTU.

I do not know if this is really a bad thing; the public has sided with the KCTU publicly on several issues (notably the temporary workers problem). Furthermore, the KCTU's militant style is what separates itself from the FKTU.

Experts predict more member unions distancing themselves from the KCTU's excessive political struggles will turn away from the confederation, possibly bringing about a domino effect on other members.

"The KT union's departure has a symbolic meaning," said Choi Young-ki, research fellow at the Gyeonggi Research Institute, "because it reveals the KCTU failed in setting a proper policy direction and controlling its affiliated unions."

"If it doesn't seek reform to meet the changed labor situation, such a large-scale secession of its members will be repeated," he added.

And what about the members who ARE militant and are against cooperating with management? The KCTU IS the militant progressive federation of Korea; changing that would make it essentially another FKTU.

I doubt the recent secessions are caused solely by controversy over the KCTU's militancy. The KCTU did not just become a militant federation over night; its reputation has been established for years. Korean Unions have been hurting for years; these recent departures from both the KCTU and the FKTU are just symptoms of this. These unions are probably trying to find a new way to improve their status; whether it requires increased militancy or business cooperation. Remember when the Change To Win Federation pulled out of the AFL-CIO? Despite all the talk of "reform," Change To Win essentially worked the same way as the AFL-CIO with even greater internal strife.

There is no question that the KCTU needs some reforms; bureaucracy and infighting has made it ineffective in Ssangyong and the rampant patriarchy in the federation needs to be destroyed. Changing the one thing that defines the KCTU though will not solve anything.