Korean Air pilots end strike

The two-day strike grounded most of the Korean flagship carrier's aircraft

SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- A two-day strike by staff at South Korean carrier Korean Air has ended after the company reached an agreement with its pilots Wednesday night.

A company spokesman said flights should be back to normal by Friday.

However, more workers in other industries are walking out of their jobs with the general strike spreading to hospitals Wednesday.

Thousands of union workers, the majority of them nurses and administrative staff, walked out at eight general hospitals causing a substantial slowdown in patient treatment.

The strike was called by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions who say corporate reforms are leading to massive lay-offs.

VIDEO CNN's Sohn Jie Ae reports on the striking workers in South Korea (June 13) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

The KCTU wants the government to stop a reform push it began after the Asian crisis in 1997; guarantee that worker layoffs will cease; mandate a 40-hour work week; and raise wages.

It is also demanding an improvement in laws in a variety of areas, including labor law, freedom of speech and private schools; and that the government make it easier to organize government workers into unions.

KAL agreement

The Korean Airlines walkout strike began because of disagreements between pilots and management over work conditions and wages.

KAL spokesman Shin Mu-Chul said the two sides agreed to minimize the criminal and civil suits the company filed against striking workers, and not penalize union members for striking.

The company also agreed to freeze the number of overseas pilots -- who the Korean said enjoyed better wages -- and gradually decrease their number.

The two sides said that labor would have an increased role in management decisions.

Negotiations on wages were suspended for the time being.

The spokesman said international and domestic flights would continued to be disrupted Thursday, but should be back to normal Friday.

Ground staff and flight attendants from the country's second carrier, Asiana, remain on strike.