TOYOTA SUPPLIER THREAT

Employees of another Toyota supplier, Advics Tianjin Automobile Parts Co, Ltd, in north China'a Tianjin Municipality, were also threating to strike Wednesday.

The employees were demanding a monthly pay rise of 1,500 yuan and if the factory do not accept the appeal they would strike, employees told Xinhua.

A strike would be the third at a supplier to Toyota in 10 days, but production continued normally Wednesday at the factory.

An employee surnamed Xu told Xinhua that his salary was 1,500 yuan a month. "I can only earn more by overtime, 20 yuan an hour," he said.

Another employee surnamed Wu said his monthly income was only 800 yuan as he was new in the factory. "Only a little money is left after I pay my rent and other daily costs," he said.

Management had said that salaries would be not discussed until August, the employees said.

"We cannot wait another two months. The salaries rise each September, which is different from this appeal," Xu said.

"Our tolerance is limited. Striking is the last choice," he said.

The Advics factory with 1,000 employees was jointly established by Japan's Asvics Co., Aisin Seiki Co. and Toyota Motor Co.. The factory is a major brake system supplier to Toyota.

Two strikes in Toyota factories have occurred in Tianjin since June 15.

The first occurred at Tianjin Xingguang Plastic Factory on June 15 when 1,000 employees went on strike after their salaries were halved. It ended the same day after pay levels were restored.

The second started on June 17 in a Toyota subsidiary parts supplier and ended on June 19 after the firm promised a rise of 200 yuan a month.