South Korean workers strike against FTA with USA

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Daily Times

SEOUL: South Korea’s largest labor union escalated a strike Thursday against the country’s free trade agreement with the US as the two governments tried to make last-minute changes to the deal before its scheduled signing later this week.

The 150,000-member Korean Metal Workers’ Union called the walkout to protest the free trade deal over fears it could cost jobs. The government last week warned that the strike is illegal.

Between 110,000-120,000 members walked off the job Thursday afternoon for four hours in protest against the deal, said Chong Hye-won of the KMWU’s international department.

The union sponsored smaller partial strikes since Monday. Workers planned to strike again for six hours Friday, Chong said.

Read more: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C06%5C29%5Cstory_29-6-2007_pg5_31