Members of the Korean Metal Workers Union ended the occupation of their auto plant after police attack, and now 96 face stiff penalties. During the occupation, doctors were denied access to the plant, despite hundreds of injuries. Photo: KCTU.

Members of the Korean Metal Workers Union who occupied their auto plant near Seoul since May 22 ended their protest after intense assaults from police and a management threat to liquidate the firm.

Protesting mass layoffs, about 600 sit-down strikers faced weeks of raids by police and company-hired strikebreakers. The strikers were denied food, access to drinking water, and medical supplies for weeks.

One-third of the workforce, 2,600 workers, were initially slated for layoff. The union refused to accept layoffs, and won leave and transfer rights, improved recall rights, and better severance for workers choosing long-term leave or retirement.

Police escalated tensions this week, dropping tear gas onto the building occupied by workers before lowering SWAT teams onto the roof. Union members were shot with rubber bullets, two sustained injuries falling off the roof, and a fire broke out in a nearby building. The solidarity encampment in front of the plant was attacked by company thugs wielding pipes.

The Ssangyong occupation occurs in a global wave of resistance to management dictates: travel-agency workers Ireland were dragged away from their sit-in, auto-parts workers in France are locking bosses into their offices, and British wind-turbine workers just ended a take-over of their manufacturing plant.

Police in Korea set up a series of blockades to stop supporters from delivering supplies. They forcibly stopped family members from entering the plant with food and water, arresting 82 supporters over two days recently.

Union members and supporters report that police used unrestrained force. About 4,000 riot police in around 30 vehicles were mobilized, wielding water cannons, ladder trucks, and helicopters against the strikers and their support lines.

Police and management denied doctors access to the plant, and strikers say they suffered from progressively worsening injuries resulting from chemical substances police dropped on them. During the standoff, union members and company goons launched projectiles at each other from opposite roofs.

Before the occupation ended this week, the last medical intervention occurred July 22, when two doctors were allowed inside to perform emergency surgery to remove taser gun hooks shot into a striker’s face. Doctors had estimated more than 200 strikers had injuries requiring medical attention.

Ssangyong, the country's smallest car company, is known for its production of SUVs and luxury sedans.

A July 29 solidarity demonstration organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions was swiftly shut down by police. Demonstrators were met with 10 helicopters flying close to the ground, dropping chemical agents on them. As the crowd disbursed, some attempted to march toward factory gates, where police sprayed them with cannons mixing water and tear gas.

Ninety-six strikers were jailed as the plant occupation ended. The union is concerned that members will be scapegoated and the union slapped with heavy fines. Send letters of support for the strikers to President Lee Myung-bak through the Consulate-General, 2320 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008. Copy them to the Korean Metal Workers Union at inter [at] metal [dot] nodong [dot] org.