Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Ssangyong Motor reopens dialogue with fired workers
By Park Jin-hai
Lee Yoo-il Ssangyong Motor CEO
By Park Jin-hai
Ssangyong Motor reopened dialogue with the union to discuss the reinstatement of fired workers during the company’s financial turmoil in 2009.
Ssangyong Motor CEO Lee Yoo-il met with the company union leader Kim Kyu-han and Kim Deuk-joong, union head for dismissed workers Wednesday.
“The meeting took place before the company CEO dropped by the Tivoli’s launch event. They agreed to initiate talks to discuss major labor issues,” said a company official.
The main issues on the agenda include the reinstatement of the dismissed workers, support for the bereaved families of 26 workers who died from either suicides or disease after their dismissal, and stopping the 10 billion won compensation claim the company filed against ex-workers who staged a three-month strike at its Pyeongtaek plant in 2009.
“We have upheld the stance that the company’s business should be normalized first to discuss the reinstatement issue. The initiation of working-level talks means that the company has made a concession for a cooperative future,” he added.
A detailed time table for the talks will be decided later.
“After Mahindra’s visit, the process had a breakthrough. We plan to start dialogue as soon as possible, so the two union members protesting atop the company’s Pyeongtaek plant chimney can come down by the end of this month,” said a union member from the Korean Metal Workers’ Union.
Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group which owns Ssangyong Motor, last week met the union leader representing the dismissed workers who have been calling for their reinstatement. The chairman was in Korea to celebrate the launch of the compact SUV Tivoli.
On the same day management decided to reopen dialogue with the dismissed workers, Ssangyong Motor CEO Lee said he intends to resign from his post.
“I have already told Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra that I won’t be able to serve another term. The talks have been underway for more than two years,” said Lee.
“I think this is the right time for me to let go of this heavy burden as a CEO now that the Tivoli has made quite a successful debut. I want to make way for a younger person to lead the company, which is going through a critical stage,” added the 70-year-old.
Lee said he plans to step down before the shareholders’ meeting scheduled in March.
He was highly accredited by the Mahindra Group as the man who put the financially troubled company back on its feet over the past six years, and successfully launched the new Tivoli SUV.