HMM, Final Breakdown of Labor-Management Wage Negotiations... Only Central Labor Relations Commission Mediation Left Before Strike

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The wage and collective bargaining negotiations between labor and management at HMM, the largest domestic deep-sea container shipping company, have finally broken down.

According to the shipping industry on the 11th, the 4th round of negotiations between the HMM Maritime Union and management, held from 3 p.m. that day, ended in a final breakdown. The Maritime Union had previously demanded a 25% wage increase and a 1200% performance bonus to normalize wages that had been frozen for eight years during the first three rounds of negotiations. On the other hand, management insisted on a 5.5% wage increase and a performance bonus of 100% of the base salary, and it is reported that the gap in views could not be narrowed.

After the final breakdown of negotiations, the Maritime Union immediately applied for dispute mediation to the Central Labor Relations Commission (CLRC). The schedule for the first CLRC consultation has not yet been decided. Jeon Jeong-geun, chairman of the HMM Maritime Union, explained, "Based on data from external consulting that suggested an 11.8% wage increase was necessary, we demanded improved treatment, but we ultimately failed to reach an agreement with management."

The Maritime Union is considering suspending overtime work as part of a lawful struggle before a strike. This is a strategy to protect legal rights by stopping operations that exceed the prescribed overtime standards while pressuring management.

Although mediation by the CLRC remains before a strike, there is a prevailing view that this too may fail. Previously, the first CLRC meeting requested by the Land Union on the 9th failed to reach an agreement. The Land Union plans to hold a final second meeting on the 13th.

The CLRC mediation for HMM is scheduled until the 19th, and if no agreement is reached during the CLRC dispute mediation, both unions plan to conduct a strike vote.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.