Hyundai Motor Union Escalates Pressure with Strikes Over Pay and Hours

The Hyundai Motor union in South Korea is intensifying its pressure on management through a series of partial strikes this week. The union's actions are driven by demands for improved compensation, reduced working hours, and an increase in the retirement age.

The union, which represents approximately 40,000 employees, has announced that plants located in Ulsan, Jeonju, and Asan will experience disruptions. Workers participated in a two-hour work stoppage on September 3rd, with further two-hour stoppages planned for September 4th and a four-hour stoppage scheduled for September 5th.

This recent industrial action follows a vote on August 25th, where a majority of union members approved the measures. The union's key demands include a 30 percent bonus based on Hyundai's record net income for 2024, an extension of the retirement age from 60 to 64, and the implementation of a 4.5-day work week.

The labor union has a history of influencing working conditions in South Korea. In 2003, the Hyundai union played a pioneering role in securing a five-day work week, departing from the country's traditional half-day Saturday work schedule.

This current action represents the first significant strike since December 2024, when Hyundai workers conducted a two-day partial walkout in protest of the former President's declaration of martial law. The union has not engaged in a full strike over wage negotiations in the past seven years.

The union is advocating for a greater share of the company's profits, citing Hyundai's increasing global revenues, particularly from strong sales in the United States. Management has yet to issue a public response, and a company spokesperson was unavailable for immediate comment.