A worker at Hyundai’s Ulsan engine plant in the south-east of the country set himself on fire on Sunday in protest at the company’s alleged suppression of union members.
The man – named only as Shin – is now in a critical condition in hospital in nearby Busan and his union is threatening to suspend all engine production from tomorrow (Tuesday).
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Hyundai has managed to avoid any strike action for the last three years, despite the traditionally volatile relationship between companies and unions in South Korea’s car industry.
This latest dispute involves what the union is claiming was ‘unfair control’ of Shin by a factory manager after Shin reported problems with engine quality to management, citing files found on his computer, according to local news reports.
“Hyundai’s management has not abandoned its outdated labour management policy, causing frequent conflicts with labour,” the union said in a statement.
The union warned that it would suspend engine output throughout Hyundai’s complex in Ulsan and refuse overtime and weekend work from Tuesday should the company fail to act on the alleged suppression or excessive monitoring of union members which the company denies.
“The police are investigating (Shin’s) case and we are keeping an eye on the probe,” a Hyundai spokesman told local reporters.
The Ulsan plant produces diesel engines for Hyundai’s Veracruz and Kia’s Mohave SUVs. The company said that any stoppage was likely to have little impact on supplies because of existing stock while other plants could also compensate for stoppages.
