HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Union Begins First Partial Strike of the Year... "Urging Resolution of Wage Negotiations"

by Kong Byeongseon

Published 31 Aug.2023 17:50(KST)

The HD Hyundai Heavy Industries labor union has launched the first partial strike of the year, urging a swift resolution to this year's wage negotiations.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

On the 31st, the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries union announced that it had instructed about 6,000 union members to participate in a three-hour partial strike starting at 2 p.m. today. The strike also included unions from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment, and HD Hyundai Electric. Immediately after the strike began, the union held a rally at the Ulsan headquarters. The union plans to continue a two-hour partial strike the following day.

The HD Hyundai Heavy Industries management and union reached a tentative agreement during the 22nd round of negotiations held on the 22nd. The agreement included a base salary increase of 120,000 KRW (including a seniority raise of 35,000 KRW), a bonus payment of 3 million KRW and gift certificates worth 500,000 KRW, a budget allocation of 2 billion KRW for operating recreational facilities, the formation of a task force (TF) to respond to the future transition of the shipbuilding industry, a joint declaration between labor and management to prevent industrial accidents, the establishment of a TF to improve wage systems and other institutional reforms, new hiring, overseas training for outstanding union members, and the creation of a memorial space for workers who died from industrial accidents.

However, this agreement was rejected by 68.78% of union members in a vote held two days later. Following the rejection, labor and management must negotiate again to produce a new agreement. Negotiations resumed immediately on the 29th. However, it is expected to take some time to prepare a new agreement.