Building Regional Networks between Labor Unions and Communities in Korea

Building Regional Networks between Labor Unions and Communities in Korea

This paper examines three case studies to show how labor unions and community organizations, residents, and local governments in Korea built and developed regional networks. Korean labor unions have become aware that they cannot operate in isolation from their communities and have had to involve community organizations in their fights. Each case shows a labor movement’s efforts to avoid isolation and broaden union identities and boundaries. These attempts are occurring in many regions, and it is likely that the future will bring greater attention to the building of strategically oriented relationships between labor unions and communities.

This paper examines three case studies to show how labor unions and community organizations, residents, and local governments in Korea built and developed regional networks. Korean labor unions have become aware that they cannot operate in isolation from their communities and have had to involve community organizations in their fights. Each case shows a labor movement’s efforts to avoid isolation and broaden union identities and boundaries. These attempts are occurring in many regions, and it is likely that the future will bring greater attention to the building of strategically oriented relationships between labor unions and communities.