Hyundai Motor faces production halts as workers extend strikes, rejecting a $67 monthly wage offer amid demands for $100 raises and job guarantees.
Hyundai Motor’s unionized workers have intensified strike action, extending partial walkouts for a second week after rejecting the company’s wage proposal. The strikes, now lasting four hours per shift, threaten to disrupt production of up to 5,000 vehicles, valued at KRW 200 billion ($150 million).
The union, affiliated with the Korean Metal Workers’ Union, demands a KRW 149,600 ($100) monthly salary increase, performance bonuses of 800% of salary, and job security amid Hyundai’s plans to deploy humanoid robots. Hyundai’s latest offer included a KRW 89,000 ($67) raise, 350% bonuses, and KRW 10 million in additional payments.
Negotiations have stalled since earlier this year, with the union also pushing to raise the retirement age from 60 to 65. The prolonged dispute risks further output losses if no agreement is reached.