A Union Campaign Against Railway Industry Privatization in South Korea: What Explains Its Relative Success?

Using data collected during field research, the author analyzes the Korean Railway Workers Union (KRWU)’s campaign against railway privatization in South Korea. The case study demonstrates that the strategic choice framework is particularly useful to explain variations in union effects on public sector restructuring. Contrary to the expectation that labor unions constrained by lack of corporatist arrangements will be less able to influence on restructuring decisions, the KRWU was strategically effective in preventing unilateral restructuring and gaining concessions from government. Two factors appear to be crucial to explaining the relative success of the union. The political conditions that shape the strategies of the union, and the strategic capabilities of the KRWU. Hence both the increase in political opportunities and union ability to take advantage of the latter made it possible for the union to gain considerable concessions.