Renault Samsung, GM Korea face prospect of strikes by workers

South Korean carmakers are facing the prospect of renewed labor strife as they deal with unfavorable market conditions, industry sources said Monday.

Renault Samsung Motors Co. and GM Korea Co. said their union workers are planning walkouts and work disruptions after initial union-management talks failed to find middle ground on regular wages, bonuses and fringe benefits.

Renault Samsung, the local unit of French automaker Renault S.A., said its workers at the company’s Busan plant will halt work for two hours in the afternoon to show their resolve in winning this year’s labor talks.

The plant, with an annual capacity of 300,000 units, produced 130,000 cars last year, with the company forecasting 170,000 cars to roll off the assembly line in 2014. The move marks the first walkout by any local carmaker this year, and may herald other disruptions down the line. (Yonhap)