Hyundai Motor workers again to stage partial strikes amid wage dispute

Seoul, Aug. 18 - The labor union representing Hyundai Motor Co.'s workers has announced a series of partial strikes this week following their inability to reach a wage agreement with management. The union has decided to stage four-hour strikes on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by an eight-hour strike on Friday. Additionally, the union plans to launch four-hour partial strikes on Monday and Tuesday next week, bringing the total to 44 hours of partial strikes since initiating wage talks with management.

Negotiations between the union and management have reached their 16th round, but the two sides have been unable to bridge their differences over wages. Hyundai Motor Co., which employs 40,000 workers, is demanding a 149,600-won (US$105.6) increase in the monthly base pay, along with a performance-based bonus equal to 30 percent of the company's net profit from the previous year.

In contrast, the company has proposed a 80,000-won increase in the monthly base pay, a performance bonus equivalent to 350 percent of the monthly salary, as well as 10 million won in cash and 15 shares of company stock.