[SEOUL, KOREA=MEDICAL/HEALTH NEWS] Pharmaceutical labor unions have taken positive actions, joining the fight being staged by BMS Korea union in an effort to stipulate wage standards and to stop disguised subcontracting and illegal dispatching practice.
According to the press release by Federation of Chemical Worker's Union, more than ten representatives of pharmaceutical labor unions holds a press conference Tuesday, 7 Aug. in front of BMS Korea building. The union leaders will also stage a rally against the company at the same spot Wednesday, 8 Aug., mounting pressure on the BMS Korea.
The list of unions banded together in the move with BMS Korea union includes Byer Korea, Sanofi-Aventis, Sanofi-Pasteur, AstraZeneca, Zuellig Pharma Korea, Gambro Korea, Novartis Korea, Boehringer Ingelheim Korea, Wyeth Korea, Pfizer Korea, Handok Pharmaceuticals.
An official from Federation of Chemical Worker's Union is quoted as saying, "union representatives are showing huge support for the cause and demands of BMS Korea union." He also said, "We are planning to proclaim that we will provide unlimited support and solidarity for BMS Korea labor union till they prevail."
Prior to the press conference, BMS Korea union demanded that the company clarify wage standards in the agreement between them on negotiation. The company, however, was known not to accept the proposal. Both sides had been under legal arbitration until 2 Jul. to no avail, resulting ongoing protest. The union, together with Federation of Chemical Worker's Union, lodged an official complaint to Ministry of Labor 18, Jul.
An official from BMS labor union stated, concerning illegal disguised dispatching practice, that the union demanded New York-based Bistol-Myers Squibb Headquarters' corrective measures about present and clear illegal acts by BMS Korea. He added, "The union is staging a protest to replace CSO(Common Service Operation) personnel with full-time employees."
Other pharmaceutical labor unions are expected to join solidarity strikes. Their joint move is triggerd by the judgement that the consequences of BMS Korea situation will provide a critical turning point that will be able to stop future expansion of non-regular workers in pharmaceutical industry.
Meanwhile, given various adversities BMS New York is currently undergoing, it seems practically impossible that Bistol-Myers Squibb will be able to come up with a Headquarters-level solution.
-대한민국 의학전문지 헬스코리아뉴스-
