[THE INVESTOR] GM Korea labor union’s vote on staging a strike was approved on July 7, making it the first carmaker union to set the stage for industrial action.
The vote to take industrial action was approved by 71 percent workers. Of the 13,619 members of the carmaker’s union, 81 percent participated in the July 6-7 vote.
GM Korea chief executive James Kim.
However, the union’s move is widely perceived as a ploy to get the upper hand in this year’s negotiations rather than a signal for immediate action.
Last year also saw GM Korea’s union approve strike plans, but the union did not carry them forward. This year, the union continued negotiations with the management while the issue was put to the vote.
GM Korea’s union leader has also stated that the union will continue to communicate with the company while following procedures necessary for a strike if such action is needed.
In this year’s negotiations, GM Korea’s union is demanding a 152,050 won (US$ 131) monthly raise, and 400 percent incentive.
By Choi He-suk (
cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)