Kumho Tire 1st Union Approves Strike Vote... Darkening Storm Clouds of Strike

Metalworkers Union Korean Tire Members
Strike Possible if Central Labor Relations Commission Decides to Suspend Negotiations

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Korea Tire & Technology (Korea Tire) First Labor Union declared a breakdown in this year's wage negotiations, and the union members also voted in favor of industrial action. Accordingly, if the Central Labor Relations Commission decides to suspend mediation, the Korea Tire First Union will obtain the legal right to strike.

On the 7th, the Korea Tire Branch under the Metal Workers' Union announced that in the strike vote conducted from the 5th to the 7th among 2,406 total union members, 2,129 out of 2,258 voters (91.1% of total members, 94.3% of voters) voted in favor.

With the strike vote passed, if the Central Labor Relations Commission issues a decision to suspend mediation on the 11th, the union will gain the legal right to strike. The union, having already convened a Strike Countermeasure Committee, plans to review the mediation meeting results at the Central Labor Relations Commission on the 11th and hold a committee meeting on the 12th to establish future schedules.

The Korea Tire First Union had been negotiating with management on wage issues including a flat 200,000 KRW increase, abolition of the wage peak system, and payment of a 5% performance bonus based on global operating profit. Although they held 11 rounds of negotiations until this month, they declared a breakdown on the 1st after failing to narrow differences with management. Subsequently, the First Union immediately applied for mediation with the Central Labor Relations Commission and proceeded with the strike vote, entering the procedures for a strike.

Meanwhile, the Korea Tire union affiliated with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions will begin wage negotiations with management starting this month.