How many SK hynix employees does the planned integrated union want to recruit to gain majority status?

The union is targeting about 18,000 members out of SK hynix’s roughly 35,000 employees. Its goal is to become a majority union by bringing together workers across job categories and regions.

Why are SK hynix workers forming an integrated labor union now?

Industry sources said employees want a unified response because three unions currently negotiate separately with management. The task force also said the new structure would give all members equal voting rights and allow direct decision-making rather than a delegate-centered model.

What labor issue is the planned SK hynix union focusing on besides membership growth?

The union has identified performance-based compensation as a key issue. It is also considering cooperation with the largest labor union at Samsung Electronics, according to industry sources.

SK hynix workers move to form integrated union, seek majority status

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Summary

Unionized workers at SK hynix Inc. are preparing to launch an integrated labor union in a bid to secure majority status as early as Wednesday. The task force aims to recruit about 18,000 of the company’s roughly 35,000 employees. The new union says equal voting rights and direct decision-making are priorities, and it is also weighing an alliance with Samsung Electronics’ largest labor union.

Key Facts

Three separate labor unions currently negotiate with SK hynix management independently.
The integrated union aims to bring in about 18,000 of SK hynix’s roughly 35,000 employees.
The task force will remain in place until an official union leader and executive committee are elected.
Performance-based compensation is one of the main issues the planned union wants to address.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 12, 2026 10:48 am KST

SK Hynix's headquarters in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province / Yonhap

Unionized workers at SK hynix Inc. are close to launching an integrated labor union with the goal of securing more than half of the company's employees to become a majority union, industry sources said Wednesday.

A preparatory task force plans to file an application to establish the integrated union and officially launch it as early as Wednesday, the sources said.

The upcoming union has set securing a majority of the company's employees as its key objective, aiming to recruit about 18,000 of SK hynix's roughly 35,000 employees to gain majority-union status.

Three separate labor unions currently negotiate with management independently.

The task force, currently serving as an interim organization for the integrated union, was formed voluntarily by employees and will remain in place until an official union leader and executive committee are elected.

"Bringing together the voices of employees across job categories and regions and creating a majority union is our top priority," the task force said. "We aim to establish a union in which all members have equal voting rights and make decisions directly, rather than one centered on delegates."

The union has also identified performance-based compensation as a key issue.

It is also considering forming an alliance with the largest labor union at Samsung Electronics, SK hynix's chipmaking rival, according to industry sources.

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