Union Calls for "AI Committee"
Amid Push for Robots on Production Lines, Fears of Job Loss Grow
The Kia labor union, which is currently engaged in wage and collective bargaining negotiations, is demanding that the company implement measures to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) from taking away jobs. However, critics argue that this demand ignores the reality that the adoption of AI and robots is inevitable as a means of maintaining productivity, even as the union calls for reduced working hours.
In December 2020, a first-shift worker who went on a partial strike at Kia Motors Gwangju Plant 2 in Naebang-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, is leaving work after a 4-hour reduced workday, crossing the finished vehicle parking lot. Photo by Yonhap News.
According to industry sources on September 5, the Kia union recently proposed the establishment of an "AI Committee" during the main negotiations with management. The union argues that, as the era of superintelligent AI approaches, jobs could be lost and labor rights infringed upon, so it is necessary to begin discussions on proactive countermeasures.
The reason the Kia union has raised concerns about labor rights in the AI era is believed to be because Hyundai Motor Group is pushing to deploy AI and robots in its factories. The group's affiliate, Boston Dynamics, plans to begin pilot deployment of its humanoid robot "Atlas" on production lines at a U.S. automobile plant as early as next month, and intends to expand its use to other affiliate factories in the future. In addition, Hyundai Motor and Kia have been collaborating with the Seoul National University Institute of Precision Engineering since May to implement a "Software-Defined Factory (SDF)." They are developing manufacturing AI, large language models (LLMs) specialized for manufacturing, and digital twins. It is expected that the introduction of such AI technologies into production sites could lead to job displacement.
Management opposes the proposal, stating, "It would be more effective to discuss these matters within the existing in-house Employment Stability Committee." They argue that since labor rights issues related to AI adoption are also connected to employment, it is better to consolidate discussions through the current organization. The Kia Employment Stability Committee is a forum where labor and management discuss employment-related matters, such as adjustments to production volume by plant or production line.
An industry insider commented, "Since AI has emerged as a key issue this year, it appears the union is demanding the creation of a new committee. If another committee is established, it would also result in more executive positions, such as committee chairpersons, as an added benefit."
In addition to the AI Committee, the Kia union has repeatedly put forward demands that are considered excessive even compared to the Hyundai Motor union. For example, while the Hyundai Motor union is calling for a 4.5-day workweek, the Kia union is demanding a four-day workweek. At the fourth round of main negotiations held the previous day, there was a heated debate over extending the retirement age to the age at which national pension benefits begin (up to 64 years old). Management countered that concrete discussions would only be possible once government policy is established.
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