As Hyundai Motor Group moves to introduce the humanoid robot "Atlas," the labor union is mounting strong opposition. On this, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Chairperson Yang Kyung-su said it is not about hindering technological development, but that sufficient deliberation is needed.
At a New Year press briefing on Feb. 5, Chairperson Yang said Atlas came as a shock to many workers, and the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and Humanoid Robot technology will unfold across various fields beyond manufacturing, adding that, as a result, jobs are highly likely to be quickly threatened.
Atlas is a Humanoid Robot unveiled by Boston Dynamics, Hyundai Motor Group's robotics affiliate, and is known to walk like a person and use joints to perform production tasks. In response, Hyundai Motor's union is taking the position that not a single unit will be allowed without an agreement.
Chairperson Yang said agreement with the union on changes in the workplace is common sense, stressing that the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and Hyundai Motor's union do not intend to hinder or block AI or technological development. However, the position is that after fully examining the impact of automation and robot deployment on labor and preparing alternatives, it should proceed under agreed conditions. Chairperson Yang emphasized that discussion on how to create a virtuous cycle structure of labor must take place together.
Chairperson Yang also raised the need to introduce a "labor impact assessment." Just as an environmental impact assessment is conducted before pursuing a policy or project, the purpose is to comprehensively review in advance the impact on employment and working conditions. Yang said that even a single labor policy has an impact on employment, and in the long term it can change the industrial ecosystem, adding that if these elements are not designed together, the quality of jobs can rapidly deteriorate.
Meanwhile, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) said it will focus on a campaign demanding the repeal of the revised enforcement decree of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act and related administrative guidelines ahead of the implementation of the "yellow envelope law (revisions to Articles 2 and 3 of the labor law)." While the yellow envelope law could open the way for bargaining between subcontractor unions and the parent company, the KCTU believes the enforcement decree could, in effect, restrict subcontractors' bargaining rights by using the bargaining-unit separation system within the single bargaining channel procedure. It also opposed the administrative guidelines, saying that assessing the scope of the employer based on structural control criteria could narrow responsibility.
Chairperson Yang said that if the bargaining unit with the parent company is separated, it is difficult to guarantee bargaining rights, adding that a demand letter for parent-company bargaining will be sent in mid to late February.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) also laid out a plan to begin with a struggle declaration rally on Mar. 10, follow with a resolution rally in April, ramp up the level of action with May 1 Labor Day as a turning point, and launch a general strike in July. On the possibility of taking part in social dialogue by the Economic, Social and Labor Council, Chairperson Yang drew a line, saying it has degenerated into a means to carry out and enforce government policy.