Major Labor Unions on Tower Crane Strike: "No More Tolerating Cutthroat Competition... Government Must Provide Solutions"

Most Operators Join Strike, Disrupting Construction Nationwide
"Government Action Essential to Address Chronic Structural Problems"

With 70 to 80 percent of tower cranes halted at construction sites across the country, the two major labor unions on May 28 called on the government to directly devise structural measures to resolve the tower crane strike situation.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) each issued statements on this day, urging the government to respond to the demands of tower crane workers. The KCTU stated, "The government should actively review the seven key demands of tower crane workers on site to address the structural problems in the industry and swiftly come up with measures." The FKTU also said, "The government must no longer turn a blind eye to the cries from the field and should respond immediately to the demands of tower crane workers."

On the 27th, a press conference announcing the general strike of the two major labor unions' tower crane union was held in front of the Cheongwadae Sarangchae. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Tower Crane Division of the KCTU Construction Union and the Korea Tower Crane Operators' Union under the FKTU began a general strike at construction sites nationwide starting the previous day. The unions affiliated with the two major labor groups represent around 3,100 tower crane operators, accounting for the majority of the approximately 3,500 operators in total. As non-union members make up only about 10 percent, virtually all sites nationwide have been affected. The unions estimate that out of the 2,100 or so tower cranes installed across the country, 1,800 operated by union members have stopped running.

The union has held more than ten rounds of wage and collective bargaining negotiations with the Tower Crane Safety Association, which represents the employers, but has failed to reach an agreement. The union has been demanding a 15 percent increase in total wages and compliance with the statutory 40-hour workweek.

The union argues that the strike should not be viewed solely as a wage issue. They have put forward seven key demands, including the adjustment of standard market rates, improvement of unreasonable equipment usage restrictions, ensuring appropriate wages, strengthening safety management, and regulating the supply of tower cranes. The unions declare that the strike will continue until the government presents a solution.

The KCTU commented, "Demands for safety measures and for guaranteeing appropriate rates are the minimum mechanisms necessary to address the chronic problems in construction site management." The FKTU also asserted, "This struggle is to fix the construction industry, which has collapsed due to low-priced subcontracting and cost-cutting competition."

A tower crane is visible at an apartment construction site in Seoul. Photo by Younghan Hur

The tower crane is a core piece of equipment that lifts heavy materials such as rebar, formwork, and concrete to high floors—materials that are difficult to move manually. Since subsequent processes are closely tied to the schedule of this equipment, a halt in operations inevitably leads to the simultaneous suspension of major construction processes.

Construction companies are responding by adjusting the order of operations or utilizing equipment operated by non-union workers. At some sites, the use of mobile cranes is also being considered. However, there are limitations to replacing the workload handled by tower cranes with other equipment, so the longer the strike continues, the greater the burden on the sites is expected to become.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated that it would review related measures by distinguishing between issues to be resolved through labor-management negotiations and those requiring government support.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.