Occupation of Korean Hyundai Plant Comes to a Close

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/6761/korean_hyundai_workers_occupation/

Friday Dec 10, 2010 3:14 pm

By Kari Lydersen


The Hyundai strike in Ulsan, Korea underscored the tensions between contract and direct-hire workers. Nevertheless, an occupation cost the company $283 million. (Photo via IMF Metal)


A once-humming Hyundai factory in Ulsan, Korea has become a “cold wintery island” where people are fainting from malnutrition as workers are on their fourth week of a sit-down strike by so-called “irregular” temporary subcontract workers who are demanding permanent positions.

There have been three-way meetings between the company, the union of irregular workers and the union representing full-time workers, though the Korea Times reported the full-time workers’ union has been “reluctant” to support the temps’ struggle. On Wednesday the 45,000-strong union voted whether to support the temporary workers. Later, Yonhap reported that all unions involved agreed to enter negotiations with management together and would suspend strike action at that time.

Such an agreement was originally considered unlikely as the Korea Times noted:

Understandably, the unions would not want others to join their ranks since they are not ready to share the pie promised by management.

Since beginning their strike Nov. 15, the workers have prevented the production of more than 24,000 cars, at a cost of more than $238 million. Management from the Seoul-based company reportedly started some manufacturing even as the strike was going on, with workers disrupting the “half-strength” production.

The Korea Herald reports:

Hyundai had modified the assembly line to allow part of the production process to be carried out manually in order to bypass areas under the control of striking workers ― the automated storage facility, and the conveyor that connects the paint shop to the general assembly section of the line…The non-regular workers had occupied three assembly lines early on in the strike but withdrew from other facilities maintaining control only over the line that produces subcompact cars Accent, Click and Verna.


FULL story at link.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Welcome back OS

hope you are feeling better

And we are seeing a slow expansion of labor actions here in the states... like Publix and Alabama

[Omaha Steve]

2. I see the specialist tomorrow

I'll know more in a few days about a need for surgery etc.

Glad to be back btw.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Well if you do

we will be rooting for you.

:-)

And your wife too.

Just do what they tell you, so you get as much back as possible, and hope it is 110%