The ongoing dispute between POSCO management and the union over wage negotiations has spread to the company's production facilities. The union began a 48 hour partial strike at selected areas of the Pohang and Gwangyang steelworks at 07:00 on September 9.
The strike, the first since POSCO was established in 1968, reportedly involves approximately 120 employees. Of these, 20 are based at the Pohang facility and 100 at the Gwangyang facility.
As part of the action, the 3ZRM cold rolling line at the electrical steel plant at Pohang Steel Works and certain production lines at the pickling plant at Gwangyang Steel Works were included in the strike.
POSCO stated that the partial strike has not caused any significant disruption to production so far and that operations are continuing with alternative personnel assigned to the affected areas.
Gap remains between wage offers
One of the main points of disagreement in the negotiations is the wage increase. The union is demanding a %7.1 increase in base wages, incentive payments equivalent to %600, 50 POSCO shares per employee and a holiday bonus equivalent to %200.
POSCO management has offered a %2 increase in base wages, a KRW 3.5 million performance incentive and local gift vouchers worth KRW 500,000.
Strike expected to be extended if no agreement is reached
The union plans to continue strike action for a longer period if an agreement with management cannot be reached following the current action.
Accordingly, a second partial strike lasting 120 hours is scheduled to begin at 07:00 on September 16 at the Pohang and Gwangyang facilities.
POSCO reportedly employs approximately 17,000 people, of whom around 10,100 are union members. Wage negotiations between the two sides are continuing.
Comments
No comment yet.