Continuing Conflict
The conflict between workers and management of GM Korea is showing no signs of easing even after the company went back to normal. Non-regular workers’ discontent is simmering in particular.
According to industry sources on September 16, GM Korea President and CEO Kaher Kazem recently hired bodyguards to protect himself from violence.
Four months ago, the two sides agreed on a 6.9 trillion won investment from the headquarters of GM and an 800 billion won investment from the Korea Development Bank (KDB) for business recovery. Yet conflicts countinued. Unionized GM Korea workers occupied the office of the CEO and destroyed his personal belongings, which resulted in a police investigation. Their violent actions did not stop even after the company went back to normal. A related press conference had to be canceled in Bupyeong in May and more than 40 non-regular workers occupied his office again in July.
“Such violent actions are extremely rare in the United States,” the company explained, adding, “It is quite natural for the American CEO to feel threatened.”