Kumho Tire Labor and Management Begin '2025 Collective Bargaining'

First Step in Negotiations After Agreement on Gwangju Plant Fire Accident

Kumho Tire (CEO Jeong Iltaek), which recently reached a labor-management agreement to resolve the aftermath of the fire accident at its Gwangju plant, has begun wage negotiations for this year.

According to Kumho Tire on August 11, labor and management held a preliminary meeting for the '2025 collective bargaining' in the afternoon and officially started negotiations.

On the 11th, Jeong Iltaek, CEO of Kumho Tire, and Park Raepil, Senior Deputy Head of the Metal Workers' Union Gwangju Jeonnam Branch, along with other negotiation committee members, held a preliminary meeting for collective bargaining. Provided by Kumho Tire

The preliminary meeting was attended by CEO Jeong Iltaek, Park Raepil, Senior Deputy Head of the Metal Workers' Union Gwangju Jeonnam Branch, Kim Myungseon, Executive Vice President and Head of Production Technology (representing management), Hwang Yongpil, Head of the Union Branch (representing the union), and a total of 16 participants. The meeting proceeded with introductions of the labor and management negotiation committee members, greetings from the CEO and the chief negotiation representatives, and the exchange of letters of delegation.

CEO Jeong Iltaek stated, "I hope to build a company where all employees can feel proud and to see Kumho Tire rise again," adding, "I wish for this negotiation to become a turning point that transforms crisis into opportunity."

Kim Myungseon, Executive Vice President and Head of Production Technology, who is the chief negotiation representative for management, said, "Kumho Tire is facing an unprecedented and extraordinary situation, and labor and management must come together to resolve these issues," emphasizing, "The survival and future of the company depend on our choices and actions."

Hwang Yongpil, Head of the Union Branch, commented, "I hope this collective bargaining process will proceed sincerely and swiftly between labor and management," and added, "I hope the company will make a significant decision."

Meanwhile, Kumho Tire announced an agreement for the reconstruction of the Gwangju plant through labor-management consultations following the fire accident at the Gwangju plant in May. The agreement is centered on guaranteeing employment for all members, resuming operations at Gwangju Plant 1 within this year, constructing new production facilities at the new Hampyeong plant, and expanding facilities after selling the Gwangju plant site.