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Over the weekend, a number of musicians showed their solidarity with Korean Cort and Cor-tek guitar workers at the annual gathering in Anaheim of the National Association of Music Merchants. The NAMM Show, as it is better known as, attracts a “who’s who” of musicians and their equipment sponsors/endorsers. It’s a virtual Comic-Con for lovers of all things music. This year, as was the case the year before as well, Korean guitar makers used the Anaheim Convention Center where the NAMM Show is held to highlight their labor struggle. Years ago, earning exploitative wages and enduring sweatshop-like working conditions, the Cort and Cor-tek workers manufactured guitars for Fender while making their CEO one of the wealthiest men in Korea. In response to their situation, they unionized only to be illegally fired while the factories closed and moved to China and Indonesia.
In a Saturday performance, ¡Aparato! Shin Kawasaki, Phoenix Benjamin and Nocy K were just the latest musicians to express their solidarity with the plight of the Korean guitar makers. Others in the past have included Zack de la Rocha, The Street Sweeper Social Club, Serj Tankian, Ozomatli and many more.
NAMM may be all but over, but the struggle goes on. To count yourself among those who find the Cort/Cor-tek illegal mass firings to be out of tune with worker rights, sign the petition at the link below:
Seagull guitars in Canada are a good alternative.