Thus far Hyundai has skirted labor controversies in the U.S. as it expands in non-union plants.
The United Auto Workers Union will demonstrate this Monday at the Hyundai America Technical Center in Michigan to support of a strike by Hyundai workers at a seat plant in Ulsan, South Korea.
The Hyundai strike has Korean workers occupying a plant in the world’s largest auto manufacturing complex since November 15 when the subcontractor who employed them announced that it was closing.
It is claimed that Hyundai was the actual subcontractor of the Korean workers, and the sham setup was done by Hyundai to avoid hiring the now striking workers with better wages and benefits as required under South Korean law. 
“Precarious workers should be treated in the same manner and have the full rights of regular Hyundai workers,” UAW President Bob King said in a statement today.
“The UAW and our sister unions around the globe will be standing with these workers until Hyundai stops the violence and repression of these workers and recognizes them as regular Hyundai workers,” said King.
Politics make for strange bedfellows as the UAW supports the Korean FTA.
The UAW alleged that Hyundai refused to meet the workers’ demands, and that Hyundai has filed lawsuits against dozens of the workers involved in the work stoppage.
“Plagued by unfair dismissals and miserably low wages, precarious workers are now shutting down assembly lines to voice their discontent. The occupation of a seat-making plant has resulted in losses by the company totaling $173 million as of December 2,” the UAW said.
“Hyundai is a very successful, profitable company and it is a moral outrage that instead of including workers in the success of the company, they are keeping more than 8,000 workers at poverty level wages and in complete uncertainty for themselves and their families. We join the Korean Metal Workers Union in demanding that Hyundai immediately hire these workers as full-time Hyundai employees and ask that all people of conscience join us in this demand,” King added.
The Korean Metal Workers’ Union earlier this week declared a strike of its members on December 1 to show support for the 500 workers occupying the plant in Ulsan.
The Michigan demonstration will feature a speech on the importance of global solidarity by the UAW’s King, and a vigil to show support for Korean workers.
The protest will also feature music from striking Detroit Symphony Orchestra members.
