The Kwangju Christian Hospital branch goes on strike for over 42days

 

The Kwangju Christian Hospital branch (Head Oh Soo-hee, no. of members – 530) embarked on an all-out strike on August 29 and it has continued to be on strike for over a month. Nonetheless, the hospital management has shown no change in their position thereby a prolonged strike being expected.

 

At the Kwangju Christian Hospital branch, at 3:00 pm on September 9 when the strike was on its 9^th day, the KHMU organized a rally titled “Resolution Convention for the Victory of the Kwangju Christian Hospital branch”, joined by around 500 union members based in Gwangju, leadership members of 180 KHMU branches nationwide as well as KHMU President Na Sun-ja.

 

The Christian hospital’s union branch called for securing nursing staff, upgrading nursing services to the second grade from the third and confirming the duty roaster by wards, improving uniform, improving night shift’s working conditions, eradicating violence and taking measures to protect workers who are involved in emotional labor. About this, the hospital management has insisted on wage freezing, taking an excuse of increased financial burden led by the ordinary wage increase after they lost a case.  Since the strike started, a series of working-level negotiations has been going on, but no progress has been made as the employer side has maintained its original position. Unless the position gap is narrowed even until the end of this week, the KHMU will mobilize the power at the whole organizational level to help address the issue.