Kolon Industries Reaches No-Strike Agreement in This Year's Wage and Collective Bargaining Talks

Agreement at First Meeting... "Labor and Management Share Understanding to Overcome Internal and External Crises"

The wage and collective agreement signing ceremony of Kolon Industries was held on the 28th of last month at the Gumi factory in Gyeongsangbuk-do. From the left, CEO Jang Hee-gu and Labor Union Chairman Kim Yeon-sang. (Photo by Kolon Industries)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Kolon Industries announced on the 1st that labor and management reached an agreement on this year's wage and collective bargaining agreement (wage and collective agreement) without negotiations. It is said that a consensus was formed that labor and management should unite to overcome the rapidly changing external environment such as the surge in oil prices and raw materials due to the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling a swift agreement on the wage and collective agreement.

Kolon Industries held the '2022 Wage and Collective Agreement Signing Ceremony' over two days on the 28th and 29th of last month in Gumi City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Ulsan City, with labor and management representatives including CEO Jang Hee-gu and Labor Union Chairman Kim Yeonsang attending, and conducted a 'Labor-Management Joint Declaration Ceremony' to overcome internal and external crises.

At the first meeting between labor and management, both sides agreed to conclude the wage and collective agreement without separate negotiations and to focus on business activities. After a two-day approval vote by union members on the 25th and 26th of last month, the agreement was reached on the 28th. The company explained that it is significant because all five unions of Kolon Industries agreed simultaneously.

CEO Jang said, "This wage and collective agreement is a precious result reflecting the will of all employees to find opportunities amid crises and achieve a great transformation," and emphasized, "We will devote ourselves to continuing the differentiated win-win culture called 'Sangsaeng Hapsim,' which embraces not only labor and management but also partner companies, as a legacy of 100 years of Kolon." Labor Union Chairman Kim responded, "We approached the wage and collective agreement with a united mindset that if the company faces difficulties, employees will also suffer," and added, "We will continue to actively communicate with the company and do our best to enhance the value of our members."

Meanwhile, Kolon Industries' representative plant in Gumi has maintained its reputation as a 'dispute-free workplace,' receiving awards such as the 'Silver Tower Industrial Medal' in 2014, the 'Prime Minister's Commendation' in 2016, and the 'Korea Labor-Management Cooperation Award' grand prize in 2018. This year as well, it was selected as a workplace supported by the Labor-Management Partnership Program of the Labor-Management Development Foundation under the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

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