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June 27, 2009
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| Police yesterday stepped in to prevent further clashes from occurring between Ssangyong Motor Company employees and striking union workers at the company’s only plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi. Tensions heightened after the labor union refused to accept a revised restructuring plan proposed by the management earlier in the day. Union workers have been protesting against layoff plans since May 21. Some 600 heavily protected riot police stormed the factory occupied by the union workers through a small hole in the fence surrounding the factory at around 5:15 p.m. and tried to stop clashes between striking and non-striking workers at Ssangyong, according to police sources. Some union workers have now moved to a nearby car-painting factory, making it dangerous for the police to try dispersing workers since chemicals are stored inside. Earlier in the day, around 20 people were injured when 300 security guards hired by the company confronted the striking workers, who were armed with steel pipes and fire extinguishers, according to witnesses. An alternative company restructuring plan proposed by company management but rejected by the labor union offers 450 of the 970 dismissed workers a chance for voluntary retirement and up to eight months’ pay in compensation. The company also proposed securing jobs for 320 of the 970 sacked workers and sending 100 workers on unpaid leave until 2012 when the company said it plans to rehire 100 workers. However, the striking workers have dismissed all offers and vow to hold off. “We will not end our strike unless management withdraws the restructuring plan,” said Lee Chang-keun, a spokesperson for the labor union. “The company’s proposal did nothing but say that it would proceed with the restructuring plan.” Meanwhile, Ssangyong Motor, the nation’s smallest automaker, filed for bankruptcy protection in January. The sluggish economy had led plunging sales and increased debt. The court accepted the filing and told the company to cut its workforce by 36 percent, around 2,646 employees. Some 1,670 workers have volunteered to take early retirement. The remaining 976 workers are currently on strike. The management says until the workers accept the company’s revised plans and end the strike, the company’s future remains cloudy. By Lee Eun-joo [angie@joongang.co.kr] |
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