Hyundai Motor Union Raises Intensity of Strike: "We Will Force a Proposal to Be Made"

Four-Hour Group Strikes Continue Until the 22nd
Key Differences Remain Over Retirement Age Extension, Reinstatement of Dismissed Workers, and Bonus Increases

The Hyundai Motor labor union has raised the intensity of its fight, declaring, "If there is no proposal, we will force a proposal to be made."

The Hyundai Motor Branch of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (hereafter referred to as the union) carried out a four-hour partial strike on the 21st.

The Hyundai Motor Company Labor Union (Metalworkers Union Hyundai Motor Branch) began a 4-hour partial strike on the 20th due to difficulties in this year's wage negotiations. The image shows Hyundai Motor's Ulsan Plant in Buk-gu, Ulsan City, after the morning shift workers finished their work. Photo by Yonhap News

Production (technical) morning shift union members stopped work and left at 10:50 a.m., which is four hours earlier than the usual end of their shift, or participated in report meetings by business division.

Afternoon shift union members are to stop working and return home at 7:30 p.m., four hours before the end of their shift. The four-hour partial strike that began on the 20th will continue for three days, until the 22nd.

Previously, the union started its first strike of the year on the 13th, followed by a three-day, two-hour partial strike through the 15th.

On this day, the union intensified pressure on management with an official statement. The union strongly refuted rumors circulating on the shop floor about the possibility of reopening negotiations, stating, "Do not be swayed by groundless talk of resumed talks, rumors of negotiations wrapping up after personal meetings, or stories of an agreement before the summer vacation. None of these are based on facts."

The union is also holding rallies on the ground. On the 20th, a protest rally was held at the headquarters of the Ulsan plant with all plant delegates in attendance. Starting at 8 p.m., a general strike resolution meeting of all union members on the night shift will be held on the lawn in front of the plant headquarters in Ulsan. This night-time rally is being held to avoid the extreme heat.

The union also made it clear that it intends to make this year’s collective bargaining a turning point in labor-management relations. "Although our proposals do not explicitly mention it, the 26th year of collective bargaining will become a year marking a new, more valuable and equal turning point for labor-management relations," said the union, emphasizing its determination to build a stronger, field-centered labor union.

Labor and management are continuing practical discussions separately from the strike, but have so far failed to achieve progress. The union will hold a Central Strike Countermeasure Committee meeting on the 23rd to plan additional strikes.

Labor and management began wage negotiation talks on May 6 and have held 15 rounds of talks since then. There are reportedly still significant differences on the size of the wage increase and the plan for bonus increases.

At the 15th round of talks held on July 8, the company’s third proposal included an increase in the monthly base salary of 89,000 won, a performance bonus equivalent to 350% plus an additional 10 million won, and the granting of 15 shares of company stock.

However, the union rejected the offer, saying it fell short of members’ expectations. The union is demanding an increase of 149,600 won in base salary (including step raises), a performance bonus equal to 30% of last year’s net profit, employment security and retirement age extension measures related to artificial intelligence (AI), and reduction of working hours.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.