General Motors Thailand says it is determined to end the work stoppage at its Rayong plant as soon as possible to avert possible disruptions in vehicle supply to dealers and customers, said spokeswoman Sasinan Allmand.
About 200 union workers filed a notice with GM on Saturday of their intention to strike yesterday to demand higher wages, welfare and benefits, but GM management rushed to close the plant before the strike began to ensure the safety and security of all employees and property.
According to a GM statement, during the temporary closure, the company would continue to pay all wages - and variable bonus payments, welfare and benefits - to most of its employees,including some of the union employees who have registered to remain on duty.
However, the unionised employees who are on strike would not be paid, it said.
GM said it would endeavour to conduct further negotiations with the union members to seek an amicable solution to their demands as soon as possible.
Ms Sasinan said 600 non-striking unionised workers were still on duty.About 1,700 workers are employed at the GM assembly plant, and half are union members.
"We informed the workers who did not join the strike to stand by for plant reopening," said Ms Sasinan.
"We are hoping to resume production as soon as the protest ends, hopefully within a couple of days. We have our negotiators meeting with the union members who are not satisfied with the onemonth bonus to be paid this month,"she said.
The GM plant has a capacity to make 150,000 vehicles per year, but actual production is closer to 50,000.
The plant's production hit a low of only 30,000 units earlier as a result of the auto industry's slump from the global downturn.
"We are confident the plant closure will not affect our vehicle supply, but we have a contingency plan if the stoppage continues to ensure supply for dealers and customers," she said.
She declined to reveal inventory at the plant or daily vehicle production numbers.
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