The Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission (Incheon RLRC) ruled that Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) must negotiate with subcontractor labor unions at least three times.
The Incheon RLRC said on the 8th that, regarding the petition filed by Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) and subcontractor labor unions to separate bargaining units, it "recognized the corporation's status as an employer on industrial safety agendas and decided to separate the bargaining units by each higher-level labor organization."
Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) and seven subcontractor labor unions each applied to the Incheon RLRC for a decision to separate bargaining units following the enforcement of the revised Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act.
Under this Incheon RLRC ruling, the subcontractor union units with which Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) must negotiate total three: labor unions affiliated with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, labor unions affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KTCU), and other labor unions.
The Incheon RLRC cited as reasons for recognizing the prime contractor's employer status that the corporation holds control and authority over major airport facilities and equipment and that it oversees the overall safety and health management system of the airport.
On the method of separating bargaining units, the Incheon RLRC said it comprehensively considered the similarity of interests among unions and the potential for conflict. As a result, it decided to divide the subcontracted worker groups into three bargaining units by higher-level labor organization.
Min Gil-su, Chairperson of the Incheon RLRC, said, "Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) is a public institution representing Korea and a workplace where many prime and subcontracted workers are employed," adding, "We hope this model for separating subcontractor bargaining units becomes an opportunity for substantive dialogue between labor and management of prime and subcontracted employers, leading to improved working conditions and better public services."