Hyundai Motor union to stage strike in South Korea for first time in five years

UNIONIZED workers at Hyundai Motor’s South Korean plants will hold their first strike in five years to protest against the government’s “anti-union” labour policies.

Day-shift and night-shift staff will stop working for two hours on Wednesday (Jul 12), a spokesperson for the automaker’s union said in a text message. Employees at Hyundai’s affiliate Kia won’t participate in the partial strike.

The workers are part of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union, which is calling on its 180,000 members to protest against the Yoon Suk-yeol government’s labour policies. The administration has pushed for reforms in labour unions and vowed strong responses to any illegal demonstration that disrupts public order.

About 44,000 workers at Hyundai are members of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union. The group also represents workers at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Employees from that company will also stage a partial strike on Wednesday, according to HD Hyundai’s website.

Spokespeople for the companies weren’t available to comment.

Hyundai fell as much as 2.2 per cent in Seoul, the biggest intraday loss since Jun 7. BLOOMBERG