DPP throws support behind union's right to strike

"We support the union's planned strikes if they are staged within the realm of the law. We cannot accept, however, any rascal-like threat uttered by anyone."

William Lai, DPP caucus whip

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus yesterday threw its support behind threatened strikes by Chunghwa Telecom Co's (中華電信) union if they are legally staged.

"Demonstrating is a normal operation in a democracy," DPP caucus whip William Lai (賴清德) said. "We support the union's planned strikes if they are staged within the realm of the law. We cannot accept, however, any rascal-like threat uttered by anyone."

Lai made the remark in response to a threat by the People First Party (PFP) caucus yesterday morning. The caucus threatened to "inflict vengeance on" the government if it continues to ignore a legislative resolution banning the sale of shares of Chunghwa Telecom, the nation's largest telephone operator.

Lai said that if the opposition parties think the company's privatization scheme runs counter to the public's interest, they should use rational debate rather than adopting such an emotional approach.

Lai also called on the opposition parties to request a constitutional interpretation from the Council of Grand Justices on whether the legislative resolution applied to the current share-sale plan.

The legislature already passed the budgets earmarking funds for the state-owned company's release of shares in 2000 and 2001, while the legislature's resolution to block the share-sale was made when it passed the annual budget for the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002, Lai said.

The company is scheduled to auction off a 3 percent stake to domestic investors today and the ministry has proposed selling a 14 percent stake in the US this week, through an American Depository Receipts issuance.

The company's union on Sunday threatened to stage its largest strike ever after refusing to sign a deal offered by the company regarding employee rights during the company's privatization process.

PFP caucus whip Sun Ta-chien (孫大千) yesterday said that the contempt the government has shown toward the legislative resolution has seriously sabotaged relations between the legislative and executive branches.

He also threatened to get "revenge," through measures such as adopting "high standards" while screening the government's budgets and bills.

"I'm sure that it is not something Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) would like to see," he said.

Another PFP caucus whip, Lin Hui-kuan (林惠官), said that the company's union has every right to stage a strike because it is a legal right. He also blamed the DPP government for being "incompetent," saying this had prompted the union to take the dramatic action.

Chin Hui-chu (秦慧珠), director of the PFP caucus office and a former lawmaker, called on the premier to reshuffle the Cabinet before the legislature meets next month in order to replace defiant government officials with those who are more capable and obedient.

"The premier is facing not only the water shortage problem in Taoyuan County, but also a leadership problem," she said, singling out Chunghwa Telecom chairman Hochen Tan (賀陳旦) and Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Mei-yueh (何美玥).