The Kia labor union approved a strike in a vote on industrial action (strike) after this year's breakdown in talks with management, with a majority of union members voting in favor.
The union held a strike ballot of all members from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the 19th. As a result, the strike was approved with a 79.5% approval rate of all eligible members.
By local chapter, approval rates were Soha chapter 77%, Hwaseong chapter 82.5%, Gwangju chapter 72.1%, Sales chapter 86.4%, Maintenance chapter 84.9%, and those off duty 81%.
Of the 25,798 total union members, 22,335 (86.6%) took part in the vote, and there were 20,519 votes in favor. The approval rate among participants was 91.9%.
Accordingly, if the National Labor Relations Commission also decides to suspend talks, the union will be able to strike legally.
Earlier, on the 11th, after declaring a breakdown in the fifth round of wage and collective bargaining talks, the union began dispute procedures. The Kia union demanded a monthly base pay increase of 141,300 won and a performance bonus equal to 30% of last year's operating profit (about 3.8 trillion won). It also called for extending the retirement age to 64 and introducing a four-day workweek.
However, since Hyundai Motor in the same group reached a wage deal, the prevailing view is that the Kia union is unlikely to actually go on strike. Earlier, on the 9th, the Hyundai Motor union reached an agreement with management in wage talks to receive a 100,000-won increase in monthly base pay, a performance bonus of 450% plus 15.8 million won, 30 shares of stock, and 200,000 won in traditional market gift certificates.
In fact, the Kia union's approval of the strike ballot does not directly mean an immediate strike. Separate working-level meetings are also expected to continue, apart from talks at the National Labor Relations Commission. Even if those talks ultimately break down, whether and when to actually strike will likely be decided by the dispute countermeasures committee.
The first meeting of the dispute countermeasures committee will be held at 1:30 p.m. on the 22nd.
In a statement, the union said, "With the overwhelming approval rate confirming the anger and united will of the members, the union will break through with struggle if words are not enough," adding, "If a proposal that members can accept is presented, we are willing to conclude talks at any time."