The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

GM Threatens to Treat Korea Like Detroit

Aug 19, 2013

GM insiders confided to reporters that GM would gradually close down its manufacturing operations in South Korea. They emphasized the high labor costs and the combativity of the unions.

GM is certainly unhappy with the Korean labor union. Members struck for 124 hours last year, including for such demands as higher meal allowances.

So, the company that shut down assembly plants in Detroit and spun off its parts operations, leaving years and years of unemployment, decay and debt in its wake, is now threatening to do the exact same thing to South Korea.

GM and all other global corporations claim such social power as their right. If they are unhappy with a workforce that might want better food, or any other betterment of conditions, the corporation pulls up stakes. Having sucked up the resources and the labor of large cities, even of whole countries, the corporation moves where it wants, when it wants. It cares nothing for the social consequences.

Such power is a social menace, wherever it goes. Like any worn-out part, it must be removed and replaced.