The Hyundai Motors Workers Union Votes in Favor of Strike Amidst Difficult Negotiations
The Hyundai Motors trade union has resolved to go on strike this year due to challenges faced during the negotiations over wages and collective bargaining. On the 25th, a vote was conducted among the union members, totaling 44,538, regarding whether to proceed with the industrial action. The strike was passed with a significant majority, with 43,166 votes in favor and 39,608 in support.
The outcome of the vote equates to an overwhelming 96.92% approval from the workers and approximately 88.93% from all union members. Prior to this decision, the Hyundai Motor Union had declared a deadlock in negotiations on the 18th and sought mediation from the Central Labor Relations Commission.
On the 30th, a consequential meeting and launch ceremony of the Central Committee for Counter-Dispute Measures will take place to discuss the intended course of the strike. As the majority of union members have already voiced their agreement for strike action, legitimate industrial action could proceed if the Central Labor Relations Commission opts to suspend mediation early next week.
The Central Labor Relations Commission generally suspends mediation when negotiations become exceedingly difficult due to substantial discrepancies between labor and management. However, since the union is currently engaged in work-level discussions with the company, further actions will likely be determined based on the attitude displayed by the management.
Among the demands made by the Hyundai Motors union this year is a call for the company to raise the base salary by 184,900 won, allocate 30% of last year’s net profit as incentives, offer 900% of bonuses, and increase miscellaneous allowances. Additionally, it has been proposed to extend the retirement age from the current 60 years to a maximum age of 64 in sync with the timing of receiving the national pension.
Despite the potential for wage adjustments through further negotiations with the trade union, the Hyundai Motor Company management appears to be refusing to extend the retirement age on the grounds that it does not align with prevailing societal opinions. It is worth noting that the Hyundai Motor Union refrained from going on strike over the past four years, considering the impact of COVID-19 and the economic disputes between Korea and Japan.
Reporter: Jeon Chan-hwi
▲ On the 25th, the Hyundai Motors Union held a vote for and against the strike among the 44,538 union members, and it was passed with 43,166 votes and 39,608 in favor. The picture shows the meeting of temporary union representatives held at the Hyundai Motor Cultural Center in Ulsan on the 23rd. <현대차 노조>
[비즈니스포스트] The Hyundai Motors trade union voted to go on strike this year when negotiations over wages and collective bargaining were difficult.
On the 25th, as a result of a vote for and against the strike (industrial action) of 44,538 union members, the Hyundai Motors Union passed the strike with 43,166 votes and 39,608 in favour.
This was achieved with a vote of 96.92% of the workers and the approval of around 88.93% of all members.
Prior to this vote, the Hyundai Motor Union declared a breakdown in negotiations on the 18th and applied for mediation to the Central Labor Relations Commission.
On the 30th, a meeting and launch ceremony of the Central Committee for Counter-Dispute Measures will be held to discuss the direction of the strike.
As the majority of union members have already agreed to strike, a legal strike could go ahead if the Central Labor Relations Commission decides to suspend mediation early next week.
The Central Labor Relations Commission makes a decision to suspend mediation when negotiations are difficult because the differences between labor and management are too great.
However, the union is still holding a work-level meeting with the company, so it appears that additional actions will be decided based on management’s attitude.
This year, the Hyundai Motors union demanded that the company increase the base salary by 184,900 won, pay 30% of last year’s net profit as incentives, pay 900% of bonuses, and increase miscellaneous allowances.
In addition, it was proposed to raise the retirement age from the current age of 60 to the maximum age of 64 in line with the timing of receiving the national pension.
Hyundai Motor Company management is understood to be refusing to extend the retirement age, saying it is not in line with social opinion, although wages can be adjusted through additional negotiations with the trade union.
The Hyundai Motor Union has refrained from going on strike for the past four years in consideration of COVID-19 and the economic conflict between Korea and Japan. Reporter Jeon Chan-hwi
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