General Strike
Overview
A general strike (총파업, General Strike) refers to a collective work stoppage that extends beyond a specific workplace or industry to encompass society at large, aimed at achieving demands related to wages, working conditions, or political goals. It is one of the most powerful means for labor unions to exert collective pressure on employers or governments, with the potential to paralyze the entire economy beyond a simple strike. General strikes hold a significant place in the history of labor rights and are recognized as a core expression of workers' right to organize and take collective action in democratic societies.
Main Content
Concept and Characteristics of a General Strike
Unlike an ordinary strike, a general strike is not limited to a specific company or sector but involves a broad work stoppage with workers from multiple industries participating simultaneously. It is used not only for economic demands but also for political and social change. The key characteristics of a general strike are its scale and impact; if successfully executed, it can severely disrupt social infrastructure and economic activities.
Historical Background
The origins of the general strike trace back to the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. In early labor movements, strikes were a means to demand wage increases and shorter working hours, but they gradually expanded to include political demands. The 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago, USA, was a violent incident during a general strike demanding an eight-hour workday, which later became the origin of May Day (Labor Day). In the early 20th century, large-scale general strikes occurred in the UK (1926 General Strike), France (1936 General Strike), Spain, and elsewhere, contributing to the advancement of workers' rights and the construction of welfare states.
Legal and Institutional Aspects
In South Korea, Article 33 of the Constitution guarantees workers' rights to organize, bargain collectively, and take collective action. However, collective actions, including general strikes, are subject to certain legal restrictions. According to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act (노동조합 및 노동관계조정법), strikes must go through conciliation procedures, and in essential public services (such as railways, electricity, and healthcare), arbitration systems apply. Additionally, violence or illegal occupation during a strike is prohibited, and employers cannot engage in unfair labor practices against strike participants. When a general strike occurs within the legal framework, it is recognized as a legitimate collective action, but if procedures are violated or political objectives are excessive, it may be deemed an illegal strike.
Social and Economic Impact
In the short term, a general strike causes economic losses such as production disruptions, logistics paralysis, and service interruptions. For example, the 2022 general strike by the Korean Cargo Truckers Solidarity (화물연대) paralyzed logistics in major industries like steel, automobiles, and cement, resulting in trillions of won in damages. In the long term, it can undermine trust in labor-management relations and negatively affect foreign investment. However, general strikes also bring positive effects, such as improving workers' conditions, reducing social inequality, and strengthening democracy. Historically, general strikes have led to significant social progress, including shorter working hours, minimum wage increases, and the expansion of social security systems.
Major Examples
- 1926 UK General Strike: Over 5 million workers participated in protest against mining industry restructuring; it lasted nine days but failed due to the government's hardline response.
- 1936 French General Strike: Under the Popular Front government, workers staged a massive strike and won paid vacations and a 40-hour workweek.
- 2019 French General Strike Against Pension Reform: In opposition to President Macron's pension integration reform, railways and public transport were paralyzed, and the strike lasted several months.
- 2020 Indian General Strike Against Agricultural Reforms: Farmers protested the agricultural market liberalization laws with nationwide strikes and demonstrations, eventually leading to the repeal of the laws.
- 2022 South Korean Cargo Truckers Solidarity General Strike: Demanding an extension of the safe freight rate system, they caused a logistics crisis and secured some concessions through negotiations with the government.
Recent Trends
From 2024 to 2025, general strikes have been on the rise globally, driven by deteriorating working conditions, rising prices, and political instability. In particular, with the spread of the digital economy and platform labor weakening traditional union organizing, non-regular and special-type workers are attempting new forms of solidarity strikes. In South Korea, the collective resignation and strike by medical residents (전공의) in 2024 in protest of the medical school quota expansion policy sparked social controversy and led to a healthcare vacuum. Additionally, in early 2025, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (민주노총) announced a large-scale general strike against the government's labor reforms, intensifying conflict between labor and the government. Internationally, 'climate strikes' demanding action on the climate crisis are spreading, especially among youth, representing a new phenomenon combining traditional labor disputes with environmental activism.
Related Topics
- [[Labor Union]]
- [[Right to Collective Action]]
- [[Collective Action]]
- [[Strike]]
- [[Labor-Management Relations]]
- [[Cargo Truckers Solidarity Strike]]
- [[Medical Resident Strike]]
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