The strike by 1,900 Chinese workers at a Honda transmission factory in southern China could signal a fundamental shift in global automotive economics. After the workers were out for two weeks, forcing Honda to close four Chinese assembly plants, the company offered a 24 percent wage hike. That got workers to return to their jobs temporarily pending a fatter offer and resolution of noneconomic issues.
As in other growing economies, rising expectations are prompting workers to seek their share, which will narrow China's labor cost advantage.
