Korea GM Union Reports CEO Over Cafeteria Quality Dispute

A dispute over cafeteria operations at Korea GM’s Bupyeong plant has escalated into a police investigation after the union accused management of failing to improve meal quality despite repeated price increases.

The Korean Metal Workers’ Union branch at Korea GM filed a complaint against CEO Hector Villarreal and employees involved in running the cafeteria. It asked police to examine whether illegal conduct occurred in the supply of ingredients and the settlement of outsourced cafeteria contracts.

The union says meal prices rose every year, while the food did not improve. It also reported that a piece of foreign material, described as resembling a plastic cap nut from cooking equipment, was found in gamjatang served at the plant’s first cafeteria on the 5th.

The union had previously sought an external audit through labor-management consultations. It turned to police after the company said its internal audit found no problems. Separately, the union requested urgent hygiene inspections from Bupyeong District and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.