Hyundai Motor union expands strikes, risking major production losses

The Hyundai Motor Company labor union has announced an expansion of strikes following the summer vacation period. The Korea Metal Workers' Union Hyundai Motor branch has scheduled additional partial strikes starting August 12, with the duration increasing from four hours per shift on August 12 and 13 to six hours per shift on August 14 and 18.

These actions are expected to cause significant production disruptions. Combined with previous strikes in July, the cumulative production line downtime could reach up to 100 hours. This follows earlier losses where production of 42,500 vehicles was affected. Total revenue losses are estimated to potentially reach between 1.3 trillion and 1.7 trillion won.

The dispute stems from failed negotiations regarding three core demands: bonus increases, the reinstatement of dismissed workers, and the extension of the retirement age. While the union argues the company has sufficient financial capacity to meet these demands, management maintains that issues such as retirement age and worker reinstatement are matters of law and institutional policy rather than wage negotiation topics.