MSD’s new labor union in talks for unpaid wage compensation

Majority of members left previous MSD Chapter and formed an independent union

Demands weekend wage payment and 7% raise, agreed to reach decision this year

MSD Korea employees have gathered again under a new umbrella.

 

Majority of the members previously affiliated under Korea Democratic Pharmaceutical Union MSD Chapter left and established a new labor union of their own.

 

‘MSD Korea Laborers’ Union’ is the new name for the independent corporate labor union.

 

On Dec.

 

5, the union convened its first general meeting and kicked off with a union representative election.

 

MSD Korea’s labor union was formed for the first time as the 17th chapter of the Korea Democratic Pharmaceutical Union last year.

 

Since then the union engaged in a single union talks with the corporate management over compensation of unpaid wages and other agenda.

 

However, discrepancies loomed between the executive body and members during the process.

 

Some members started complaining that the executive body is not properly speaking up for the compensation for weekend wage.

 

As a result, the members started working on forming a new labor union from September last year.

 

Except for the chairperson from the MSD Korea Chapter, most of the executive body left the union and formed a new one.

 

80 percent of the members also joined the new one.

 

Currently, the new union has about 280 members.

 

With the scale, the new union gained support of the majority and earned the representative bargaining rights.

 

The new union is now in talks with the employer about compensation for weekend wage and reasonable salary raise negotiation.

 

Since October 31, total five talks have been held.

 

The labor union is specifically demanding for an immediate payment of five-year overdue weekend work wage, and affirmed seven percent raise in salary.

 

According to the labor union, MSD Korea has not properly paid employees for the weekend work by calculating it as normal daily expenses.

 

The union estimates the overall unpaid weekend wage is about five billion won.

 

The management is holding on to the four percent salary raise.

 

They have agreed on compensating for the overdue weekend wage, but they want to further discuss about the details of the payment later.

 

As it is a matter of ‘unpaid wage’, the union is asking for a letter to affirm payment of the unpaid wage without further discussion.

 

Apparently, both of parties have agreed to make decisions and resolve the said issues within this year.

 

Shim Sang-nam, elected as a chairperson to lead the first general meeting explained the reason of forming a new labor union saying “The recently addressed issues needed a union with more democratic and ethical qualities.

 

Also multiple problems reported constantly called for a new union urgently and solely for MSD employees”.

 

“MSD Korea Laborers’ Union aims to resolve salary raise negotiation and unpaid payment issues in short term, but it would thrive to create the best working environment with MSD-appropriate levels of salary, benefits and guaranteed retirement age”, the chairperson added.