Why are Hyundai Motor workers extending strikes in 2026?

The union is pressing for higher wages after failing to reach an agreement with management. It says the walkouts are meant to support demands for a larger base-pay increase and a performance bonus tied to last year’s net profit.

How many wage negotiations have Hyundai Motor and its union held this year?

The two sides have held 15 rounds of wage negotiations this year. Despite those talks, they have not narrowed their differences over pay.

What wage offer has Hyundai Motor made to the union?

Hyundai Motor has offered an 80,000-won monthly base-pay increase. It also proposed a performance bonus equal to 350 percent of monthly salary, plus 10 million won and 15 shares of company stock.

Hyundai Motor workers to extend strikes for higher wages

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Summary

Hyundai Motor workers will extend partial strikes next week in a bid to win higher wages, the union said Friday. The walkouts follow failed wage talks with management and raise concerns about production disruptions at South Korea’s largest automaker. The union said this will be its third round of walkouts this year. The two sides have held 15 rounds of wage negotiations and remain divided over pay.

Key Facts

The 40,000-member union is demanding a 149,600-won increase in monthly base pay and a performance-based bonus equivalent to 30 percent of Hyundai Motor’s net profit for last year.
Hyundai Motor posted a net profit of 10.36 trillion won, or 7.07 billion dollars, last year.
The company has offered an 80,000-won increase in monthly base pay, a performance bonus equivalent to 350 percent of monthly salary plus 10 million won and 15 shares of company stock.

By Yonhap

Published Jul 24, 2026 1:54 pm KST

Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant in the southeasten city is empty, Monday, as workers went on a partial strike in a bid to secure higher wages. Yonhap

Hyundai Motor's union said Friday its workers will extend partial strikes next week in a bid to secure higher wages, raising concerns about production disruptions at South Korea's largest automaker.

Hyundai workers already staged partial strikes this week, with employees on the day and night shifts each walking off the job for four hours a day from Monday through Wednesday after failing to reach a wage agreement with the company, according to the union.

The union plans to stage four-hour strikes during their respective shifts from Wednesday to next Friday, marking its third round of walkouts this year.

The two sides have held 15 rounds of wage negotiations this year but have failed to narrow their differences over pay.

The 40,000-member union is demanding a 149,600-won increase in monthly base pay and a performance-based bonus equivalent to 30 percent of the company's net profit for last year.

The maker of Sonata sedans and Palisade sport utility vehicles (SUVs) posted a net profit of 10.36 trillion won ($7.07 billion) last year.

The company, however, has offered an 80,000-won increase in monthly base pay, a performance bonus equivalent to 350 percent of monthly salary plus 10 million won and 15 shares of company stock.

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