Production halted at two Kumho Korea plants following industrial action

Disagreement between members of the Kumho Tyre Workers’ Union (KMWU) and the South Korean tyre maker has led to disruptions in production at factories located in Gwangju and Gyeonggi provinces. Union members set the ball rolling with a one-day strike on March 25. Upon their return, the 3,400 employees at the two plants were apparently asked to sign individual agreements pledging not to strike. A lockout was then announced.

According to a press release from the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions, the KMWU then issued a statement calling on Kumho to negotiate on disputed issues, and said, “the company forced union workers to confirm that they would not take part in (further) strikes.” The Kumho Tyre Workers’ Union is strongly encouraging workers not to sign the statement and not to return to work while the lockout is in force.”

In a report published by the Korea Times, the union stated it is considering severer action. In response, Kumho is said to have argued that the union is violating last year’s agreement between them. “The peace treaty is supposed to last for two years, but the union is violating it,” the newspaper quoted a Kumho representative as saying. “It’s not right for them to demand new things just because there are newly elected executive members of the union.”

Kumho’s Pyeongtaek tyre factory in Gyeonggi province has not been affected by this dispute.