[Edaily Reporter LEE YUNHWA ] As the Hyundai Motor Company labor union escalates its strike actions surrounding this year’s wage negotiations, labor and management are set to resume negotiations on the 18th. The union had originally planned to hold a six-hour partial strike by work shift on the 18th as well, but decided to postpone the strike after agreeing to resume negotiations that day. However, there remains a possibility that the intensity of the union’s actions could escalate again depending on the outcome of the negotiations.

On the 14th, the Hyundai Motor Union carried out a 6-hour partial strike by work shift, in accordance with guidelines from the Central Strike Response Committee. Previously, the union had pressured management by launching 4-hour partial strikes on both the 12th and 13th. Although the union had initially planned to continue the strike until the 18th, management visited the local union branch that day to deliver an official letter requesting the resumption of negotiations. Following internal discussions within the branch, the union decided to hold the 16th round of main negotiations at 2:00 p.m. on the 18th. Working-level consultations will take place from the 15th to the 17th. Immediately after the negotiations, the union plans to convene the 6th meeting of the Central Strike Response Committee to discuss future strategies.

This year’s wage negotiations between Hyundai Motor’s labor and management have seen 15 rounds of formal talks since the initial meeting on May 6, but the two sides have yet to find common ground. The union is demanding a 149,600 won increase in base pay, a performance bonus equivalent to 30% of the previous year’s net profit, and an extension of the retirement age. In particular, there are significant differences between the two sides on separate demands such as extending the retirement age, improving the wage peak system, and reinstating dismissed workers.

Management, having presented its first wage proposal on July 2—which included a 79,000-won increase in base pay, a performance bonus of 350% (9 million won), and 10 shares of company stock—followed up with a second proposal on July 7, raising the base pay increase to 84,000 won, a 350% performance bonus of 9.5 million won, and 12 shares of company stock. During the 15th round of negotiations on July 8, management raised the base salary increase to 89,000 won and offered a 350% performance bonus of 10 million won, along with 15 shares of company stock. However, the union rejected this offer, stating it fell short of expectations, and negotiations were suspended.

The union subsequently launched a partial strike. Following a nine-day partial strike in July, the union escalated the strike intensity after the summer vacation, raising concerns about production disruptions. In fact, last month’s strike caused production disruptions at Hyundai Motor exceeding 42,000 vehicles.

The resumption of negotiations on the 18th is expected to be a turning point in the protracted labor-management conflict. Although the union has temporarily suspended the strike scheduled for the 18th, allowing negotiations to resume, the key issue is whether management will present an additional proposal and to what extent it can bridge the gap with the union’s demands. If an agreement is not reached, it is difficult to rule out the possibility that the union will decide to launch additional strikes.