Hyundai Motor Co. sued two union leaders on charges of illegally directing a strike at engine plants this week, demanding the carmaker compensate a union member who set himself ablaze in protest.

It is highly unusual for a Korean company to take legal action against a union leadership that is less than two months old.

Hyundai Motor said on Friday it filed a suit against union chief Moon Yong-moon and vice chief Kim Hong-kyu for obstruction of business to the Ulsan Dongbu Police Station.

The carmaker said the two told employees to stop operation of nine engine plants in Ulsan for a day on Tuesday, blaming the company for provoking the union member into setting himself on fire. The unionized worker surnamed Shin set fire to himself because his boss retaliated against him for raising an issue with engine quality that led to an internal audit, according to the union.

Dismissing the union’s claims as groundless, the company said Moon and Kim instructed unionized workers to refuse two hours of overtime work, resulting in a production loss of 1,597 vehicles, worth 32.94 billion won.

The carmaker said the union’s latest strike was illegal as it ignored the purpose or procedures required for a strike.

“We cannot understand the company’s actions. Are they trying to crush labor relations or are they not accepting the union as a partner?” said a union member.

In addition to the complaint filed with the police, the company plans to bring a civil suit against union leadership for damages.

By Kim So-hyun
(sophie@heraldcorp.com)