Labor unions at large plants in the Gwangju and South Jeolla Province regions represented by Kia Corp. and Kumho Tire declared the end of negotiations and passed a vote for and against going on a strike.
According to industry reports on Sept. 11, Kumho Tire’s union held a two-day strike vote for all members on Sept. 8 and 9. The union approved the strike with a 79.48 percent approval rate. The approval rate by branch was 78.67 percent at the Gwangju plant (including Pyeongtaek plant) and 80.38 percent at the Gokseong plant.
The Kumho Tire labor union had demanded a basic salary raise of 184,900 won and performance pay, as well as investment in facilities at the Gwangju plant. When management refused to accept their demands, they announced the end of negotiations on Aug. 31.
The labor union plans to continue negotiations with the company without immediately going on strike. “The company should be proactive in negotiations,” a labor union official said.
“We will do our best to conclude the collective bargaining negotiation amicably through a dialogue,” said a representative of Kumho Tire. “The labor union should also approach the negotiations sincerely and responsibly.”
Kia Corp.’s labor union also held a strike vote on Sept. 8 with 23,884 members, or 89.5 percent of the total 26,693 members, participating. They passed the agenda with an 82.5 percent approval rate. Kia Corp.’s labor union will gain the legal right to stage a strike once the Central Labor Commission decides to suspend bargaining arbitration.
The labor union is demanding a base salary raise of 184,900 won, a 30 percent performance bonus on operating profit, an extension of the retirement age to the year, which is one year before receiving national pensions, a four-day work week, and paid lunch time.
Kia Corp.’s union, which filed an application for arbitration for a labor dispute with the Central Labor Commission on Aug. 31, will hold a strike committee meeting on Sept. 12 to decide on its future course of action.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor’s union, which has been following a course similar to that of Kia Corp., has already decided to go on a partial strike. Hyundai Motor’s union unanimously decided to go on a four-hour partial strike for two days on Sept. 13 and 14.