Hyundai Motor's union leaders resolve to strike

ULSAN, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- The leadership of Hyundai Motor Co.'s union resolved to strike at their emergency meeting here Monday, citing a problem in the shift system.

The resolution was adopted by some 400 of 496 union executives, who blasted the
management for failing to implement two daytime shifts at Hyundai's Jeonju
factory in January.
The decision, however, will not immediately lead to a strike, as a 10-day
arbitration by the local labor commission and a vote by the workers are needed
first.
Last year, the management and union agreed on a trial operation of the shift
system at the Jeonju factory, but the management said it cannot be implemented
because of reduced production amid the unexpected global recession.
In fact, some members of the union leadership expressed concern about the strike
prior to the resolution, saying, "It's not the right time for a strike."
A Hyundai official called for the immediate cancellation of the decision. "It's
unimaginable to strike at the time when the global auto market is in crisis," he
said.
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