Hyundai Motor plant suspended after employee sets himself ablaze

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Hyundai_Motor_plant_suspended_after_employee_sets_himself_ablaze.html?cid=31904840

Jan 9, 2012 - 03:57

Hyundai Motor plant suspended after employee sets himself ablaze

SEOUL (Reuters) - Workers at a Hyundai Motor engine factory have suspended production there after an employee set himself on fire to protest the company's alleged suppression of union activities, Hyundai's labour union said on Monday.

The incident indicates labour issues remain a potential vulnerability for the strongly performing South Korean carmaker, although it avoided strikes for a third year in a row last year.

The worker and union member with the surname Shin was found in flames at the plant in the southeastern city of Ulsan at around noon on Sunday, and is currently in critical condition at a hospital in nearby Busan, Hyundai's union said in a statement.

[WonderGrunion]

1. Wow. Those Korean Union guys are dedicated.

Maybe the Korean Free Trade deal will actually bolster our unions.

[Brickbat]

2. That's pretty badass.

Courage and solidarity to those trying to organize.

[JNelson6563]

3. This company sells cars here dirt cheap.

I have often suspected the people building these cars must be paid very little for the way they are practically giving these cars away.

Julie