The Hyundai Motor labor union (Hyundai Motor branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union) secured the right to strike on the 25th over this year's wage talks.
According to the industry, the Central Labor Relations Commission (CLRC) decided to suspend mediation that day on the labor dispute adjustment request filed by the Hyundai Motor union. The CLRC said the gap between labor and management over this year's wage negotiations was so wide that they could not narrow their differences.
For the union to actually go on strike, it must meet two conditions: a majority vote in favor by all members and a CLRC decision to "suspend mediation." The previous day, the union held a strike ballot among 39,668 members, and the strike plan passed with an approval rate of 86.65%.
With the CLRC's decision to suspend mediation that day satisfying all conditions, the Hyundai Motor union, which secured the right to strike, can strike at any time. The Hyundai Motor union launched three partial strikes last year, breaking the "seven straight years without disputes" record. Hyundai Motor labor and management had reached agreements without disputes for six consecutive years since 2019.
The union plans to hold a launch ceremony for the Central Strike Countermeasures Committee on the 30th and discuss detailed plans, including the direction of the strike. Earlier, starting with a formal opening meeting for wage talks on the 6th of last month, the union held a total of 11 rounds of negotiations, but failed to find common ground. It declared the breakdown of talks on the 12th and began strike preparations.
The union is demanding a 149,600 won increase in the monthly base salary (excluding step increases), payment of 30% of last year's net profit as a performance bonus, and a raise in the bonus rate from 750% to 800%. It is also calling for guarantees on employment and working conditions related to the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), implementation of a fully salaried pay system, and shorter working hours without intensifying workloads.
Attention is on whether the Hyundai Motor union, a senior figure in the auto industry, moving to strike will affect other finished car manufacturers.