New development: A new history of collective bargaining in South Korean governance

Abstract

Collective bargaining in the public sector is less developed in most East Asian countries due to legal restrictions imposed on employees in the public sector. Surprisingly, for the first time since the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Labour Unions for Public Officials took effect in 2006, collective bargaining and negotiations led to an agreement between the South Korean government and the union representing national government officials in December 2017, heralding a new era of collective bargaining in South Korean governance. This new development offers meaningful lessons for governments and public sector unions around the world.