Hyundai Motor Union Stages Six-Hour Partial Strike, Citing Unmet Demands

Hyundai Motor's labor union is escalating its industrial action with a six-hour partial strike for each shift on August 14. This marks the third consecutive day of partial strikes following the company's summer vacation period, with production lines potentially halted for up to 12 hours daily.

The union's action includes members from the first shift starting at 8:50 a.m. and the second shift beginning at 5:30 p.m., each striking for six hours. Regular day workers and those on the continuous day shift will strike from 10 a.m. The union has also announced plans for another six-hour strike on August 18, though they reserve the right to postpone it if negotiations resume.

Previous strikes and a refusal to work overtime in July resulted in an estimated production loss of over 42,000 vehicles, with financial losses projected to exceed 1 trillion won. The union's demands include a base pay increase of 149,600 won, a bonus equivalent to 30% of last year's net profit, an 800% bonus increase, an extended retirement age, and the reinstatement of dismissed workers.

Hyundai Motor's management offered a base pay raise of 89,000 won, a bonus of 350% plus 10 million won, and 15 company shares. However, the union rejected this offer, deeming it insufficient to meet members' expectations. Substantive negotiations have been stalled for over a month since the 15th round of talks on July 8.