Labor commission to resume Hanwha Ocean bargaining dispute hearing June 15

The National Labor Relations Commission has decided to hold an additional hearing in a case brought by Hanwha Ocean challenging the official designation of a union eligible for collective bargaining.

The commission held a hearing Monday on the case, in which Hanwha Ocean contests the confirmed public notice of bargaining-eligible unions filed against the Korean Metal Workers' Union. It said further examination of the parties' claims and positions on the bargaining demands was needed, and scheduled a follow-up hearing for 1 p.m. June 15.

The dispute stems from the metal workers' union's demand to be recognized as the representative bargaining union at Hanwha Ocean. The company challenged that demand, ultimately bringing the matter before the national commission for review.

On the same day, the commission upheld its earlier ruling in a separate case involving Chosun University Hospital. It maintained the initial ruling in a case filed by the Chosun University school foundation against the Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union over a correction request related to the public notice of bargaining demands.

Earlier, the South Jeolla Province Regional Labor Relations Commission had found that Chosun University Hospital qualifies as an employer under Article 2, Subparagraph 2 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, and ordered the hospital to post a public notice of the bargaining demand on that basis.

The national commission affirmed that finding on review, once again recognizing the hospital's status as an employer under the law.

Labor circles say disputes between management and unions over the recognition of primary contractors as employers have been increasing since recent amendments to the trade union law. The national commission's future rulings are expected to have considerable influence on bargaining structures and the scope of employer recognition.