The Mobient Gwangju branch of the Hyundai-Kia Motors Parts Transport Workers' Union, an affiliate of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions that delivers auto parts to Kia plants, is set to launch a general strike. A prolonged walkout is expected to disrupt not only parts supply but also vehicle production.
According to labor sources on the 14th, the Mobient Gwangju branch announced it will begin a general strike on all just-in-sequence delivery vehicles at Mobient sites starting at 10 a.m. on the 15th. The Mobient Gwangju branch is composed of truck drivers from Daejin Logis and Eugene Logistics, who deliver parts produced at the Gwangju plant to Kia's vehicle assembly plants.
The union sent an official notice to Mobient that day stating it would begin a general strike and exercise its right to collective action. The union is demanding higher parts transport rates and that prime contractors cover drivers' standby fees. The union said, "We presented a revised proposal that conceded ground from our original demands in order to reach a realistic settlement, but the prime contractor showed no willingness to agree." It added that as of 6 p.m. on the 13th, all revised proposals and agreements that had been coordinated with Daejin Logis and Eugene Logistics were nullified.
Industry observers worry the strike will affect Kia's vehicle production. The union said, "If parts supply is cut off, it is highly likely to lead to production disruptions," adding, "If the current situation is ignored, the struggle will only expand further."
