GGM Union: "Jeonnam Labor Commission Recognizes Company's Unfair Labor Practices... Gwangju City Must Intervene"

Interference with Banner Protests and Ban on Union Officials' Access
Company: "No Intention to Intimidate the Union... Plans to Appeal"

The Metalworkers' Union Gwangju Jeonnam Branch held a press conference in front of Gwangju City Hall on the 12th. Provided by the Metalworkers' Union Gwangju Jeonnam Branch

The Jeonnam Regional Labor Relations Commission has recognized all of the unfair labor practices raised by the union at Gwangju Global Motors (GGM).

The Metal Workers' Union Gwangju Jeonnam Branch held a press conference in front of Gwangju City Hall on the 12th, stating, "The Labor Commission has acknowledged all of the company's unfair labor practices. Now, as the largest shareholder of GGM, the city of Gwangju must immediately activate the tripartite mediation committee involving labor, management, government, and the public," and added, "They must responsibly present a plan to normalize labor-management relations that guarantees labor rights."

On January 5, the Labor Commission delivered a ruling to the union, recognizing the company's unfair labor practices in all five cases for which the union had requested relief. Last October, the union filed for relief with the Labor Commission regarding: ▲ false statements about a bankruptcy crisis caused by demands for early loan repayment, ▲ interference with picketing and banner protests, ▲ arbitrary removal and damage of strike leaflets, and ▲ banning Metal Workers' Union officials from entering the workplace.

The union stated, "The company's claim that 'financial institutions demanded early loan repayment due to the union's strike' was judged by the Labor Commission to be a false claim not based on facts," and explained, "The use of force to block picketing and banner protests inside the factory last August, as well as threats of criminal prosecution, were also recognized as unfair labor practices infringing on legitimate industrial action."

The union further emphasized, "The city of Gwangju has continued to delay addressing the issue, saying 'it will be resolved once the two-shift system is implemented,' but the only action taken was to notify the removal of the protest tents. The Gwangju-type jobs initiative must be rebuilt on the foundation of respecting labor rights."

Regarding this, a GGM representative stated, "The Labor Commission's decision did not sufficiently reflect the company's position and the actual situation. We plan to appeal to the Central Labor Relations Commission," and added, "There was no intention to intimidate, dominate, or intervene in the union. We will continue to respect the three basic labor rights and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation between labor and management."