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Members of the Hyundai Motor union on Monday voted down a general strike by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions against U.S. beef imports and for renegotiations. It was the first time in the 21 years of its existence that the Hyundai union has voted down a strike, political or wage-related.
Only 21,618, or 48.5 percent, of 44,566 registered members of the Hyundai Motor union supported the strike. According to Article 45 of Hyundai Motor union's rules, a motion to strike requires a majority vote of all registered union members. The Hyundai Motor union leadership claimed the outcome was 55.43 percent of 38,637 union members who took part in the vote in favor. But union rules require a majority of all registered union members, not members who participated in the vote.
Union members said the vote expressed their opposition to having their union constantly stand in the vanguard of the annual KCTU-led political strikes.
The Hyundai union's five nationwide branches, including the chief Hyundai Motor plant in Ulsan, conducted a vote on the KCTU's demands -- against the U.S. beef deal and conduct renegotiations, against the construction of a cross-country canal, against privatization of public utilities, and against soaring oil prices.
Members¡¯ rejection could hamper the KTCU¡¯s overall plans for a political strike.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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