"Gwangju City Must Take Action": GGM Union Begins Tent Sit-In Protest

GGM: "Allegations of Union Suppression and Violence Are Unfounded"

On the 24th, the Gwangju Jeonnam Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union and the Gwangju Global Motors (GGM) branch held a press conference titled "Gwangju City, GGM Union Oppression Resolution Sit-in Protest Begins" in front of Gwangju City Hall in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Provided by the Korean Metal Workers' Union Gwangju Jeonnam Branch

The Gwangju Jeonnam Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union and the Gwangju Global Motors (GGM) branch have begun a sit-in protest, urging Gwangju City to take action against what they describe as union suppression by the company.

On the afternoon of the 24th, the union held a press conference in front of Gwangju City Hall, stating, "GGM was launched as the first domestic labor-management win-win model, known as the 'Gwangju-type Job.' However, the company is disciplining and discriminating against union members simply for participating in union activities."

They added, "Although the National Labor Relations Commission ruled that the dismissal of a union executive from their position was an unfair personnel decision, the company has neither shown remorse nor held those responsible accountable. For GGM to return to normal, Gwangju City must take action instead of remaining silent or passive."

In response, GGM released a statement the same day, saying, "Unlike ordinary companies, Gwangju Global Motors is a social contribution enterprise created through a grand compromise among labor, management, government, and the local community to provide jobs for young people in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions. Accordingly, the Gwangju City Labor-Management-Government Council signed a labor-management win-win development agreement, stipulating that up to a cumulative production of 350,000 units, wages and all working conditions would be negotiated through the alternative union, the Labor-Management Cooperation Council."

The company continued, "We have explained these facts to the union repeatedly, but they have refused to listen. Nevertheless, the company has recognized the union and respected its activities. The union is distorting the situation, claiming that the company has engaged in union suppression and violence, but these allegations are not true."

The GGM union has continued its conflict with management, including engaging in partial strikes, since wage and collective bargaining negotiations broke down earlier this year.

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