Strike ends at Kawasaki, Thailand

THAILAND: After a two week strike at a Kawasaki Motors plant in Thailand an agreement was reached between the union and management on July 3, 2009.

The agreement between the plant union, which is affiliated to TAW/TEAM, and Kawasaki was reached with assistance from IMF-JC and the International Metalworkers' Federation.

About 900 workers at the Kawasaki plant in Chonburi/Rayong Eastern Seaboard Industrial Zone went on strike on June 22 after management unilaterally changed the working time and then sacked all 11 shop stewards who opposed the change.

Seeking to reduce costs, the company introduced a new working time on May 11, moving from 8 hours per 5.5 days a week to 8.5 hours per five days a week. While the company claimed they had a tripartite agreement for the change, no written agreement existed. The company then dismissed 11 shop stewards accusing them of agitating the workers and the general public about the changes to the working time.

Both parties have agreed on the reinstatement of all 872 workers, including the 11 union leaders, with workers returning to work on July 6. The agreement sets out further discussions on adjusting working time, subject to the approval of the workers by a vote in August.

IMF representatives visited the plant on June 24 where they met senior management personnel and urged them to resolve the dispute through negotiations and in good faith. IMF-JC has also actively intervened in the dispute to assist the union and company in reaching this agreement.