"Democratic Party Must Resolve GGM Crisis"... Metal Workers' Union Launches Protest in Seoul

The Gwangju Jeonnam Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union held a press conference on the 13th in front of the Democratic Party of Korea's central headquarters in Seoul. Photo by the Gwangju Jeonnam Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union

The Gwangju Jeonnam Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union has launched a protest in Seoul to resolve conflicts stemming from the breakdown of wage and collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations at Gwangju Global Motors (GGM), a key component of the Gwangju-type job model.

On May 13, the Gwangju Jeonnam Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union held a press conference in front of the Democratic Party of Korea's central headquarters in Seoul, stating, "Since the Democratic Party of Korea played a leading role in creating the Gwangju-type job model, the party must step forward to resolve the GGM situation." They also argued, "Labor rights violations continue at GGM, which is located in Gwangju, a city known for democracy and human rights."

They further emphasized, "The founding purpose of the Gwangju-type job model is to guarantee appropriate working hours and wages so that young workers can lead stable lives," and added, "However, the current reality runs counter to this intention."

They went on to say, "The management prohibits workers from carrying mobile phones during working hours and does not allow the installation of chairs in the workplace for rest," and added, "As pledged by Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party must create a society where labor is respected and rights are protected."

Meanwhile, labor and management at GGM, which applies the 'Gwangju-type job' model, the first labor-management coexistence model in Korea, have been in conflict since January due to the breakdown of CBA negotiations. The Gwangju City Labor-Management-Government-Civil Society Council has recommended that both GGM management and the union adhere to the labor-management coexistence development agreement, which was agreed upon at the time of GGM's establishment, and prepare measures to improve labor-management culture in order to resolve the months-long conflict.