SHANGHAI, April 21 (Reuters) - One of China's biggest strikes in years stretched into a second week on Monday, and spread from a huge shoe production complex in southern Guangdong province to a facility owned by the same company in neighbouring Jiangxi province.
Workers at the multi-factory Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd
In Jiangxi, more than 2,000 workers from a Yue Yuen factory that mainly produces shoes for Adidas AG
"We're continuing the strike," said one worker in Dongguan, surnamed Zhou, contacted by telephone. "We swiped our cards and then went back (home). The other production lines in the same network are striking, too."
The strike began a week ago after the company missed a deadline to address workers' concerns. Yue Yuen announced changes to employee benefits on Thursday to try to placate the workers and end the strike
Provincial, municipal and township leaders urged Yue Yuen to resolve the workers' demands in accordance with laws and regulations, the government of the town of Gaobu, where the Yue Yuen factory complex is located, said in a statement on Monday.
"Company and worker representatives are urged to strengthen communication and consultation, publicise explanations of regulations and policies, and guide the rational expression of the aspirations of the workers," it said.
The Yue Yuen facilities in Gaobu comprise the company's biggest manufacturing centre, with 1.4 million square metres (15.1 million square feet) of floor space, according to its website. In addition to Adidas, it also makes shoes for Nike Inc
A company executive said last week there were about 40,000 employees at the Gaobu complex.
Several workers in Gaobu said the entire workforce was on strike. Labour activists say the strike is the biggest in China in recent memory.
(Reporting by John Ruwitch; Editing by Ian Geoghegan)
((john.ruwitch@thomsonreuters.com)(+86 21 6104 1786)(Reuters Messaging: john.ruwitch.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: CHINA STRIKE




















