{
  "id": 1695327,
  "title": "POSCO Faces First-Ever Full-Scale Strike Threat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/posco-faces-first-ever-full-scale-strike-threat",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-18T11:24:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BusinessKorea",
    "slug": "businesskorea",
    "url": "https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=275010"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "POSCO is facing the prospect of its inaugural full-scale strike in over a century, ever since its establishment in 1968. Disputes over wages and collective bargaining negotiations have left the company teetering on the brink of a labor impasse. The 58-year streak of labor-management harmony is now hanging by a thread. The union, granted the legal authority to strike, intends to persist in dialogue with management rather than initiating the strike outright. However, the widening gap between the two factions is causing considerable apprehension. The National Labor Relations Commission concluded the mediation process on August 18, deeming it futile due to the insurmountable disparity between labor and management. This suspension formalized the union's right to strike, a development unprecedented since 2024. The union's members voted overwhelmingly in favor of a collective bargaining dispute, a decision mirrored after six rounds of negotiations that culminated in deadlock on September 23. This development could mark a watershed moment in POSCO's labor relations, extending beyond just the wage agreement. The tense atmosphere is unprecedented in recent years, with the global financial crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, and steel industry downturns not yielding a full-scale strike. The National Labor Relations Commission's mediation outcome is unlikely to precipitate a full-scale strike, but the union's legal right to do so has sparked speculation. While the union seeks substantial wage increases, bonuses, and stock options, the company is offering mere fractions. The company estimates an additional 1.4 trillion won would be needed to meet the union's demands, a figure it finds untenable. Despite this, the union counters that POSCO seeks sacrifices from workers while profiting through investments and dividends. The industry anticipates a cautious response from both sides, with the union likely to employ the right to strike as a leverage tool, possibly escalating to partial strikes or work slowdowns. The ripple effects could be far-reaching, impacting industries as diverse as automobiles, shipbuilding, construction, and home appliances. POSCO remains committed to dialogue, pledging an emergency response system to mitigate the impact of any future disputes.",
  "summary": "POSCO stands at the crossroads of its first full-scale strike since its foundation in 1968. As labor and management failed to narrow their differences over this year’s wage and collective bargaining agreement despite the final mediation by the National Labor Relations Commission, the 58-year traditi",
  "key_points": [
    "POSCO faces its first full-scale strike threat in over a century.",
    "Union granted legal authority to strike, aiming for substantial wage increases.",
    "National Labor Relations Commission mediation deemed futile on August 18."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}