Mexican Media Brands
Union Warns on GM’s Decision Not to Build Chevy Impala in Korea
General Motors Co.’s decision on Tuesday not to produce its large Chevrolet Impala in South Korea “threatens the existence” of GM operations there, the country’s metalworkers union claims.
#labor
Share
General Motors Co.’s decision on Tuesday not to produce its large Chevrolet Impala in South Korea “threatens the existence” of GM operations there, the country’s metalworkers union claims.
The announcement also portends contentious labor talks this year with the typically militant union, which tells Reuters it anticipates a “prolonged and persistent fight” with GM.
GM Korea, which employs some 17,000 workers, has been a low-cost production hub for many of the small cars the company sells worldwide. But demand has waned because of low fuel prices, the collapsed Russian market and GM’s phase-out of its Chevrolet brand in Europe. At the same time, labor costs have surged about 50% in Korea over the past five years, according to the company.
The union has been pushing GM to add new models in Korea, where two of its four assembly plants are operating well below capacity. Last September GM warned it might cut production in the country.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Denmark, 10 Other EU Members Urge Piston Ban
Denmark and 10 other member nations of the European Union have urged the region to allow them to end gasoline and diesel engine sales by 2030.
-
Targets of U.S. Aluminum and Steel Tariffs Declare Counter-Measures
As expected, the European Union, Canada and Mexico have announced a broad array of counter-tariffs in response to U.S. import taxes of 10% on foreign aluminum and 25% on foreign steel that went into effect at midnight.
-
UAW Launches Strike Against GM
As expected, some 48,000 of the United Auto Workers Union members began a strike at midnight Sunday against General Motors Co. facilities in the U.S.