SK Hynix employees reject massive $547,000 average bonus package

SK Hynix, a South Korean chipmaker, is facing labor negotiations after employees narrowly rejected a massive performance bonus package. Driven by high demand for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) chips used in artificial intelligence systems, the company projected average bonuses of approximately 779 million won (about $547,000) per employee for 2026.

The proposed agreement included a 6.3 percent increase in base salaries and improved social benefits. However, the plan to distribute 40 percent of the bonus in cash and 60 percent in company stock was rejected by union members. Workers expressed concerns regarding the volatility of tying a large portion of their compensation to company shares.

The rejection was decided by a razor-thin margin, with 50.08 percent of the 15,045 voting union members opposing the deal—a difference of only 25 votes. Management and the union are expected to return to the negotiating table to resolve the dispute.