Korea GM Union Files Complaint Against Management for Violating Industrial Safety and Health Act

"Insufficient Safety Management and Non-Compliance with Maintaining Appropriate Personnel"

Korea GM Bupyeong Plant (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The Korean GM labor union has filed a complaint against the company with the prosecution, citing failure to properly fulfill its obligations to prevent industrial accidents.

The Korean Metal Workers' Union Korean GM branch announced on the 13th that it had reported Korean GM to the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the prosecution on charges including violation of the Industrial Safety and Health Act. The union specified 18 cases of violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act in the complaint. Among these was a fire that occurred this March and this month at the Body Plant 1 and Engine Plant within the Korean GM Bupyeong Plant in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon. The union claimed that there were signs such as sparks occurring from equipment inside the plant before the fire, but safety management was not properly conducted.

Additionally, the union alleged that the company violated the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act by failing to comply with the 'maintaining appropriate personnel' clause in the collective agreement. It pointed out that although 229 employees left last year due to voluntary retirement and retirement by age, the company has not hired replacement personnel.

At a press conference held at the Korean GM Bupyeong Plant on the same day, the union also criticized the Korea Development Bank, the second largest shareholder. The union stated, "The Korea Development Bank, which holds 17% of the shares as the second largest shareholder funded by taxpayers' money, holds the right to recommend 3 out of 8 board members, veto power at the shareholders' meeting, and shareholder audit rights, yet it has taken no action while Korean GM is engaging in illegal management."

Meanwhile, the Korean GM labor and management are continuing sharp confrontations during this year's wage and collective agreement (wage and collective agreement) negotiations. The union has already secured the right to strike legally. After conducting the 17th round of collective bargaining this week, depending on the results, they plan to hold a central dispute countermeasure committee meeting to decide on the guidelines for the struggle, including whether to strike.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.