Hyundai Motor union to push job inheritance

By Kim Tae-jong

The labor union of Hyundai Motor has approved a plan to request that management favor the children of long-term unionized workers over other job seekers during recruitment as long as they are qualified.

The ruling members of the union voted for the inclusion of the controversial clause in its collective bargaining proposal requiring the nation’s largest automaker to give extra credit to the children of retired employees and those who have been working at the company for over 25 years.

Its decision is drawing public criticism. In particular, non-permanent workers called the decision a “betrayal” as they have long asked the permanent workers’ union to support them for the regularization of their position.

“It is a betrayal against non-regular workers at subcontracting companies nationwide, and extreme selfishness to focus on their own sake without considering the struggle that we have been experiencing,” non-regular workers association of Hyundai Motors said in a statement.

Jin Joong-gwon, a leading social critic, also criticized the decision on his social networking site, saying, “Job inheritance is not capitalism but something from the Joseon Kingdom. Chaebol are inheriting management rights, and unions are now inheriting jobs.”

The union emphasized the clause is just a small part of the collective bargaining, through which the union plans to solve other urgent issues such as the problem of non-permanent workers and improvement of the working environment.

“The demand was originally proposed by union members who want to recognize the devotion of long-term unionized workers, while trying to solve other issues as well,” said Jung Sang-jin, an official from the union. “It’s discouraging that people criticize us without looking at all the details.”

The union is still discussing the details of the collective bargaining, the start for which is being delayed for longer than expected due to strong differences in most positions between union representatives. Now that the details of their proposal have been finalized, the union is likely to begin negotiating with management.