Hyundai workers strike for shorter week, more wages, later retirement

Anabelle Colaco
06 Sep 2025, 11:20 GMT+10

South Korea’s powerful Hyundai Motor union is escalating pressure on management with a wave of partial strikes this week, demanding higher pay, shorter hours, and an extended retirement age
The union, representing about 40,000 workers, said in a notice to members that plants in Ulsan, Jeonju, and Asan will be affected
Employees stopped work for two hours on September 3, and will stop work for another two hours on September 4 and four hours on September 5

SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea's powerful Hyundai Motor union is escalating pressure on management with a wave of partial strikes this week, demanding higher pay, shorter hours, and an extended retirement age.

The union, representing about 40,000 workers, said in a notice to members that plants in Ulsan, Jeonju, and Asan will be affected. Employees stopped work for two hours on September 3, and will stop work for another two hours on September 4 and four hours on September 5.

The decision follows an August 25 vote in which a majority of members backed industrial action. Among the demands: a 30 percent bonus from Hyundai's record 2024 net income, raising the retirement age from 60 to 64, and shifting to a 4-1/2-day work week.

The labor group is no stranger to reshaping working patterns in South Korea. In 2003, Hyundai's union was one of the first to secure a five-day work week, breaking with the country's long-standing half-day Saturday tradition.

The latest move marks the first significant strike action since December 2024, when Hyundai workers staged a two-day partial walkout protesting former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law. The union has not held a full strike over wage talks in seven years.

With Hyundai's global revenues surging, especially from strong U.S. sales, the union has argued that workers deserve a larger share of the gains. Management has not yet publicly responded, and a company spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Russia Herald.

More Information

null in null

Business

Section

Hyundai workers strike for shorter week, more wages, later retirement

SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea's powerful Hyundai Motor union is escalating pressure on management with a wave of partial strikes...

India-Russia talks highlight energy and trade cooperation

TIANJIN, China: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met this week in China, on the sidelines of...

U.S. stocks end in negative territory after jobs report

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks ended the week on a cautious note Friday, with major indices sliding modestly as investors digested...

U.S. drug tariffs could disrupt generics, raise costs for consumers

WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump is preparing to extend his aggressive tariff strategy to the pharmaceutical industry, setting...

Nestlé fires CEO Freixe after probe confirms relationship with staffer

ZURICH, Switzerland: Nestlé has ousted Chief Executive Laurent Freixe after determining he failed to disclose a romantic relationship...

Australian watchdog takes ALDI suppliers to court over collusion

CANBERRA, Australia: Australia's competition watchdog has taken four fresh produce suppliers and three executives to court, accusing...

World

Section

"Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate": PM Modi after Trump called India-US ties "very special"

New Delhi [India], September 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday responded warmly to US President Donald Trump's affirmation...

"We are very upset... government has gone very left," Donald Trump takes on Brazil's policies

Washington DC [US], September 6 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) criticised Brazil's government for taking a...

"Showcased exceptional coordination": Air Chief AP Singh hails Operation Sindoor at passing-out parade of officer cadets in Chennai

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 6 (ANI): Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, on Saturday, hailed the coordination...