Strike at Kumho Tire plants to end

ERJ staff report (TB)

Rancho Cucamonga, California -- After 21 meetings with the labour union for its South Korean tyre plants, Kumho Tire Co. Inc.'s management in Seoul has reached an agreement ending the strike at the three company plants in that country.

In a prepared statement, Kumho said the pact also includes a “peace” component limiting union strike actions. The three factories will resume normal operations for production of passenger and light truck tyres immediately. Production of truck/bus radials will resume throughout April and May as raw material stock is re-supplied to the factories, the company said.

“This consensus with the union includes wage concessions and productivity advancements that will greatly benefit all of our clients by creating a stronger Kumho,” said J.B. Kim, president and CEO of Kumho Tire USA Inc., the Rancho Cucamonga-based US distribution arm of Kumho Tire. “These changes will properly position us to rapidly emerge from our work-out and make us healthier.”

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)