GM Korea’s automotive factory in Bupyeong, west of Seoul, is seen in this file photo taken Feb. 8, 2021. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — Unionized workers at GM Korea Co., the South Korean unit of General Motors Co., have indicated that they would like to be able to purchase GM cars based on a price set on the date of the contract, with prolonged delays in car shipments and rising car prices.
The GM Korea labor union is currently in negotiations with management on the discount policy for the company employees, according to industry sources.
Currently, GM Korea employees can purchase cars with the price set on the day the vehicle is shipped, instead of the day of the contract. Now, the labor union is seeking to set the price on the day of the contract.
This policy has been leading to shipping delays, a source of criticism among many consumers.
Popular models take more than a year to be shipped, primarily due to the shortage of semiconductors.
If the automaker releases a face-lifted model during the shipping process, consumers either have to pay more for the new vehicle or cancel the contract altogether.
The negotiations between GM Korea’s labor union and management may become an issue for labor unions at other automobile manufacturers.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
