A strike at a Honda parts supplier in south China's Guangdong Province continued into its seventh day as conflicts escalated between management and employees striking for higher pay on Monday.
Strikers posted an announcement signed by 150 of the Atsumitec Auto Parts(Foshan)'s 200 workers at 9 a.m., demanding that management fire some staff members and agree to a wage raise of 500 yuan (73.52 U.S. dollars).
Shortly afterwards, management also issued a public notice, declaring it would fire some of the strikers.
Striking workers were infuriated when the plant hired nearly 100 replacement workers Saturday to resume production, labour representatives told Xinhua.
More than 50 striking workers came back to their posts in the workshop Monday afternoon but refused to work. The remaining strikers were involved in sit-ins in the workshop.
Strikers also prevented replacement employees from working.
"We have police stationed near the plant to guard against any emergencies, but as to how to resolve the problem, it is still a tough question," said Zhong Weiwen, an official with the government of Shishan Township, Nanhai District in Foshan, where the plant is located.
Workers said the plant's stocks would be used up Monday, which could possibly halt Honda's auto production.
The two sides twice held talks earlier but failed to reach an agreement.
The factory belongs to Japan-based Atsumitec Co. Ltd. where it produces auto gearbox parts for Honda Motor Co. Ltd., as well as other companies.