"Bonus 900%·Let's Move to a 4-Day Workweek" Hyundai Motor Union's Pledges

Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Korea GM Union Executive Election Battle

'Extension of Retirement Age, Securing a Four-Day Workweek'

Labor unions of major domestic automakers have begun election campaigns to select new executive teams. The newly elected executives will lead the unions for a two-year term until 2025. Candidates for union branch chiefs have presented bold pledges such as extending the retirement age, implementing a four-day workweek, and expanding performance bonuses.

Hyundai Motor Union is on high alert regarding the election results. From the left, top: Moon Yong-moon, Im Bu-gyu candidates.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Union]

A common issue mentioned by the candidates is the 'extension of the retirement age.' This demand is expected to become a primary union request amid employment insecurity caused by the transition to electric vehicles.

The Hyundai Motor Union will hold a runoff vote between the top two candidates after the first round of voting on the 5th. The union has nearly 50,000 members with voting rights. The annual budget managed by the union exceeds 10 billion KRW, indicating the executive team's significant authority and influence.

In the first round, candidate Moon Yong-moon from the On-site Organization Democratic Field faction took first place with 37.9% of the vote. His pledges include securing a 900% bonus, a four-day workweek, and extending the retirement age.

Candidate Lim Bu-gyu from the Democratic Workers faction, who promised to realize distributive justice and reduce working hours, came in second with 26.2% support.

Members of the Metal Workers' Union Hyundai Motor Branch are voting on the tentative agreement for wages and collective bargaining at the Ulsan plant.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Both candidates are classified as hardliners, leading to speculation that demands such as extending the retirement age against the company will intensify. Labor and management have agreed to renegotiate if there are legal amendments by the first half of next year due to government policies and changes in social awareness. The voting results are expected late tonight or tomorrow morning.

The Kia union confirmed three candidates?Ha Im-bong, Kim Sang-gu, and Choi Jong-tae?on the 27th of last month and is conducting election campaigns. If no candidate secures a majority in the first round on the 8th, a second round will be held on the 15th.

The Metal Workers' Union Hyundai Motor Branch is holding a wage struggle departure ceremony at the Ulsan plant.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Union]

Candidate Ha pledged special performance bonuses, extending the retirement age to 62 starting next year, and extending lunch breaks by one hour. Kim, a former chairman of the Metal Workers' Union, promised to introduce a 4.5-day workweek with early leave at 11 a.m. every Friday, while Choi, the immediate past branch chief, included extending the retirement age to 64 and a four-day workweek in his pledges.

The Korea GM union is also preparing for a second round of voting on the 7th and 8th. The first round was held on the 29th and 30th of last month with three candidates?Ahn Gyu-baek, Jang Kyung-dae, and Lee Chang-min?and the top two, Ahn and Jang, will compete in the second round.

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