14^th January 2011

On 2 September 2007, irregular workers employed by in-house subcontractors at the GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Company (GM Daewoo) factory in Bupyeong established the GM Daewoo Irregular Workers Chapter of the Korean Metal Workers Union (KMWU), Incheon Local Branch. GM Daewoo management has refused to recognize the union, instead carried out mass layoffs, refusing new contracts to workers when the in-house sub-contractor who employed them closed on 30 September 2007 and pressuring others to quite their jobs. For over three years now, the dismissed workers have fought for reinstatement.

The right of workers to form and join trade unions of their choosing is protected under the South Korean Constitution, a fact which GM Daewoo is ignoring.

2010: Desperate High-altitude Sit-in Protest

The workers did not give up, however. Instead, they strengthened their struggle, using a wide range of tactics. They filed of a petition for correction of discrimination with the National Human Rights Commission concerning the May layoffs. They also organized a supplication march (during which protesters prostate themselves once for every three steps) calling on GM Daewoo to recognize its responsibility as the actual employer of the irregular workers and to reinstate them.

In July they organized a rally commemorating the 1000^th day of the tent sit-in protest. In September they marched demanding regularization of illegal dispatch workers and prohibition of the expansion of dispatch agencies. And in October, they held a protest in front of the Northern Seoul branch of the Ministry of Labor.

On 1 December 2010, two members of the irregular workers union began another high-altitude sit-in protest, this time on the arch that stands 10 meters above the front entrance to the GM Daewoo factory in Bupyeong. Calling for abolition of illegal dispatch work, reinstatement of fired workers and regularization, they have vowed not to come down until their demands are met. They have now lived on the top of the arch for over 30 days, bearing the cramped space and brutal winter weather.

In addition, Sin Hyeon-chang, President of the GM Daewoo Irregular Workers Chapter, began a hunger strike on December 20, which has now gone on for over 10 days. Far from meeting the union members’ demands, however, GM Daewoo has responded by sending hired thugs and members of its labor-management team to cut the line used to deliver food up to the protesting workers and raid the sit-in protest site set up nearby by supporters. Ignoring a resolution adopted by the Incheon City Council and labor and civil society organizations calling on the company to engage in honest dialogue with the workers, GM Daewoo persists in its stance that it has no responsibility to negotiate since it is not the official employer with whom the workers signed contracts.

Please show your support for GM Daewoo irregular workers! Send messages of solidarity to:

dwbi jinbo.net and psspawm gmail.com.

Send letters of protest demanding GM Daewoo negotiate with the workers and address their demands to:

GM Daewoo President Mike Arcamone,

199-1 Cheongcheon-dong, Bupyeong-gu,

Incheon City, 403-714, ROK; webmaster gmdat.com.

Please send copies to: dwbi jinbo.net and psspawm gmail.com.

PETITION

Reinstate Dismissed GM Daewoo Irregular Workers South Korea!

Published by SIGTUR on Jan 13, 2011

Background (Preamble):
On 2 September 2007, irregular workers employed by in-house subcontractors at the GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Company (GM Daewoo) factory in Bupyeong established the GM Daewoo Irregular Workers Chapter of the Korean Metal Workers Union (KMWU), Incheon Local Branch.

GM Daewoo management has refused to recognise the union, instead carried out mass layoffs, refusing new contracts to workers when the in-house sub-contractor who employed them closed on 30 September 2007.

Pressuring others to quite their jobs. For over three years now, the dismissed workers have fought for reinstatement.

Petition:

Respect the Human Rights of Protesting Workers!

Sign the petition:
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/42024.html

For more information, see: arthttp://www.gopetition.com/petiti...