GGM Union: "Mediation Committee Should Be Operated Independently from Shareholders"

"Recognition of Three Basic Labor Rights, Denial of Union Unacceptable"
About 30 Union Members Stage Four-Hour Third Partial Strike

The Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch of the Metalworkers' Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a press conference on the morning of the 23rd at the 5th-floor conference room of the Gwangju Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. Provided by the Gwangju Global Motors Branch

The labor union of Gwangju Global Motors (GGM), which has continued to clash with management over wage and collective bargaining agreements, has urged that the Gwangju Labor-Management-Civil Administration Mediation and Arbitration Special Committee must be operated independently.

The GGM branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union held a press conference at the Gwangju office of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on the 23rd, stating, "The Labor-Management-Civil Administration Council and the Mediation and Arbitration Special Committee must be operated independently from the shareholders," and made this announcement.

The union said, "Gwangju City and Hyundai Motor have shown remarks and actions that deny the three basic labor rights, and unless they move away from this stance, the Mediation and Arbitration Special Committee will not be able to fulfill its role," adding, "The committee must operate on the foundation of recognizing the three basic labor rights at GGM. This is in line with the Labor-Management Coexistence Development Agreement."

Additionally, they pointed out, "Although it was promised that lower wages compared to existing automakers would be supplemented with social wages such as housing support, that promise has not been properly fulfilled," and added, "The Labor-Management-Civil Administration Mediation and Arbitration Special Committee must propose measures to improve the treatment of young workers in accordance with the appropriate wages and working hours specified in the Gwangju-type Job agenda and the Coexistence Agreement."

The union also announced that it would attend the Mediation and Arbitration Special Committee on the 24th to state its position.

On this day, about 30 union members belonging to the GGM branch began a four-hour partial third strike from 12:20 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. About 30 members who could not participate in the previous two partial strikes on the 13th and 14th due to personal reasons joined the strike this time.

In the absence of union members, the company deployed general office staff and other substitute personnel, so there was no disruption to the production process due to the strike.

Meanwhile, labor and management at GGM have been in conflict since July last year due to the breakdown of wage and collective bargaining negotiations. As the union began industrial action, the Gwangju Labor-Management-Civil Administration Council formed a mediation committee to narrow the differences.