POSCO labor unions announce 120-hour strike following failed negotiations

POSCO labor unions and management are set to resume wage and collective bargaining negotiations on August 15, following a 12-day hiatus. The meeting serves as a critical juncture to prevent a planned second partial strike.

The union, part of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, has announced a 120-hour partial strike scheduled to begin at 7:00 AM on August 16. This second wave of industrial action is significantly more intense than the initial 48-hour strike that concluded on August 11. The upcoming strike targets key hot-rolled production lines at both the Pohang and Gwangyang steelworks, which are vital to the steelmaking process.

Disputes center on compensation levels. The union is demanding a 7.1% increase in base pay, along with specific bonuses and employee stock options. In contrast, management has proposed a 2.0% base pay increase supplemented by various one-time incentives and improved housing loan support. If negotiations fail, the union has indicated it may expand the scope of the strike starting August 18.