Visit to KTX attendants

On May 14, 2006, a delegation of Japan Confederation of Railway Workers’ Unions visited a spot where some 300 female attendants of the Korea Train Express (KTX)  have been staging strike, and encouraged them. The time was just the day before all the KTX members were sacked by the company, which is a contract company of the Korea Railroad Corp. In the evening of the 14th, delegate members took part in the gathering held at the vacancy near the Seoul divisional head-office of the Korean Railway Workers’ Union.

 At this gathering, messages from their mothers were read out, and in response to this, the KTX members declared their resolutions. The message, recorded by the chief of the KTX chapter who was detained, was read out. Songs and dances settled on the subject matter of non-regular workers　were performed. After JRU delegation was introduced, encouragement gifts were handed over from JRU to the KTX members.

 On behalf of JRU delegation, Osamu Yomono, Vice President of JRU, expressed a few words that “ We felt strong rage against oppression of you, and also had grave concerns for you. However, as we can see you vigorous, we are relieved. Although we are fiercely oppressed in Japan as well as you, we are never intimidated. Let’s fight together until we could build society in which all the workers could work in peace and safety.” The gathering continued until late night. JRU will continue to support for the striking KTX members until they could get direct employment to the Korea Railroad Corporation.