23 August, 20112000 production workers and 500 white collar and maintenance workers in the factory in Busan in Korea belonging to Renault Samsung Motors decide to join IMF affiliate Korean Metal Workers' Union. The company totals 5650 employees, and has a production capacity of 300,000 vehicles per year.
KOREA: Renault Samsung workers joined the KMWU and formed the Renault Samsung Motors Local, as more than 100 workers affiliated. The Local was officially established and launched at a general meeting on August 21 at the KMWU Pusan Yangsan Branch.
PARK Chongkyu was elected local chair. Workers at all of Korea's auto assembly companies - Hyundai, Kia, GM, Ssangyong, Tata, Daewoo and Renault Samsung - are now affiliated to KMWU-KCTU.
Renault Samsung Motors began as Samsung Motors in 1995. In 1997 the company was hit by the East Asian financial crisis and serious labour disputes. French Renault took over control of the company in 2000 (Samsung Card retains 20%). Renault increased production capacity - and work pace - from 100,000 to 300,000 units per year. Worker representatives have claimed that work intensity was forced up to unbearable levels. Renault wants to make the company to the stepping stone of Renault's expansion in Asia.
From the start, an 'Employees Representative Organization' at the company made unilateral agreements on annual wage increases and goals concerning units per hour and hours per vehicle. The wage increases have not matched those at other auto assembly companies. During the course of 2011 workers started to unite, with a view to affiliate with the KMWU.
KMWU will now inform Renault Samsung Motors about the establishment of the local union and request a meeting to start negotiations on a collective agreement.
Since 2004 IMF has an international framework agreement with Renault, covering more than 130,000 employees worldwide. The negotiations of new agreement are under way.
For more info, contact Seong-sang KIM / Executive Director, KMWU, at [email protected].