[olympiaworkers] South Korean Railway union leader detained over illegal strike

SEOUL, Dec. 13 (Yonhap) -- Police took the head of a railway workers'
union into custody on Sunday, accusing him of disturbing the service of
the state-run Korea Railroad (KORAIL) by leading an illegal walkout.

An arrest warrant was issued for the Korean Railway Workers' Union
leader, Kim Ki-tae, during the Nov. 26- Dec. 3 strike. Kim turned
himself in to police Dec. 9 after seeking refuge at an umbrella labor
union's office.

Some 15,000 union members, excluding 10,000 workers essential for
railway maintenance, had taken part in the eight-day strike, protesting
the management's decision to shed jobs and cut wages as part of
restructuring steps.

KORAIL claims the walkout, the longest ever by the nation's railway
workers, caused an estimated 20 billion won (US$17 million) in losses.

It said it will proceed with disciplinary procedures against 12 union
leaders and seek compensation for damages from the union.

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