Conflicts between workers and management at Jeju Medical Center appear to be easing. The center's labor union recently declared that it was ruling out going on strike. Mike Laidman reports.
Over the last few years, the labor union of the Jeju Medical Center has set up tents and held sit-in protests. Union members even went as far as going on hunger strikes in front of the building.

But, this year, their efforts made a difference.

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Jeju Medical Center Labor Union rules out strikes

The labor union, which is an affiliate of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, has declared that there will be no labor disputes or strikes.

The union has instead resolved to have their labor campaigns seek benefits from good relationships between themselves and management while avoiding labor disputes.

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Kim Yun-nam / Leader, Jeju Medical Center Labor Union
We will try to reshape the relationship between workers and management to improve productivity and promote innovation based on trust and respect.
<싱크: 김윤남/ 제주의료원 노동조합 위원장>
"노사간 신뢰와 존중을 바탕으로 의료원의 생산성 향상과 경영 혁신을 위한 새로운 노사문화를 정착하기 위해 노력할 것이다."

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‘Build productive relationships to overcome financial crisis’

The declaration was made to overcome the medical center’s financial crisis.

With the center experiencing huge budget deficits each year, the labor union resolved to bring the center back to life and improve working conditions.

The center’s management expressed its gratitude to the union.

It added that it will make every effort to ensure the center is a trustworthy public medical center.

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Wang Ok-bo / Director, Jeju Medical Center
The management will listen to and cooperate with the labor union to power through these tough times and rebuild the center.
<싱크: 왕옥보/ 제주의료원 원장>
"우리가 어려운 기간을 넘어가는 중요한 시기에서 우리 의료원에 노동조합이 참여해서 의료원을 한 단계 더 발전시키는 형태로 운영하겠다."

[camera]
Kim Yong-min

[REPORTER]
Mike Laidman

The situation at the Jeju Center is in stark contrast to that of the Jinju Medical Center where South Gyeongsang Province Governor Hong Jun-pyo pushed for a closure due to conflicts between labor and management and a budget deficit.

However, going forward in Jeju, the relationship between labor and management at the Jeju Medical Center is expected to see some positive growth.

Mike Laidman, KCTV