Posted on : Jul.21,2006 09:22 KST
Unionized workers voluntarily ended their strike at the headquarters of POSCO, the world's fifth-largest steelmaker, on Friday after their union disintegrated, police said.
About 2,400 construction workers hired by POSCO's subcontractors had holed up for eight days at the head office in the southeastern port city of Pohang, about 370 kilometers from Seoul, demanding higher pay and better working conditions.
On Thursday night, the union workers started leaving the 12-story POSCO building after riot police raided it to disperse them. All workers left the building as of around 4:00 a.m. on Friday, according to police.
So far, police have arrested a total of 128 union workers who allegedly played key roles in the illegal strike.
On Tuesday, the government offered to mediate the illegal labor action, but warned it will take stern measures if the strike continues.
Thousands of riot police officers had surrounded POSCO's headquarters to dislodge the striking workers.
Pohang, July 21 (Yonhap News)
