Friday, July 24, 2009

The Shape of Things to Come

WSJA(7/24) South Korean Riot Police Wait Out Factory Seizure

SEOUL -- Police said they would try to wait out a group of fired workers who have taken control of part of a factory complex at South Korean auto maker Ssangyong Motor Co., in hopes of avoiding a violent end to a plant takeover that has lasted nearly two months. ... The demonstrators used giant slingshots to fire nuts, bolts and other projectiles at police again Thursday. They spray-painted a message on the building that said, "If you are not going to talk, kill us all."

(BN) Fired French Workers Win Improved Pay Offer After Bomb Threat

July 22 (Bloomberg) -- Fired workers at a bankrupt French auto-parts supplier won severance pay averaging 28,500 euros ($40,500) after threatening to blow up their factory along with components destined for Renault SA and PSA Peugeot Citroen. ... Workers had vowed to ignite gas canisters at the plant if they didn’t get 30,000 euros each in severance pay. The July 13 threat and its outcome illustrate escalating French labor tensions that have led to a series of "bossnappings" -- where striking workers take executives hostage until demands are met - as the economy falters.

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