How big was POSCO’s partial strike and which plants were affected?

The 48-hour partial walkout began at 7 a.m. and involved around 120 workers at POSCO’s steel plants in Pohang and Gwangyang. The company said the limited participation was expected to have little impact on steel production.

What further strike action did POSCO workers warn about after the two-day walkout?

Union Chairman Kim Sung-ho said the union plans a 120-hour partial strike at the two plants starting at 7 a.m. on Sept. 16 if disruptions continue. He said production disruptions would be inevitable next week if the dispute is not settled.

POSCO workers stage partial strike over wage dispute

Listen

Summary

POSCO workers began a two-day partial strike in Pohang and Gwangyang on Wednesday after labor talks over wages and compensation broke down. It is the first strike by POSCO workers since the company was founded in 1968. The union said about 120 workers joined the walkout, while management said the limited participation should have little impact on production. The union also warned of a 120-hour partial strike starting Sept. 16 if the dispute is not resolved.

Key Facts

The partial walkout began at 7 a.m. and involved around 120 workers at POSCO’s steel plants in Pohang and Gwangyang.
POSCO has about 17,000 employees, of whom around 10,100 are union members.
The union demanded a 7.1 percent base pay increase, a 600 percent performance bonus, 50 company shares per worker and a 200 percent holiday bonus.
Management proposed a 2 percent increase in base pay.
The union said staffing shortages and aging facilities could lead to safety incidents.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 9, 2026 8:18 am KST
Updated Sep 9, 2026 3:59 pm KST

Vehicles pass the main gate of POSCO Co.'s steel plant in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, Aug. 18. Yonhap

The labor union of Korean steelmaker POSCO on Wednesday began a two-day partial strike after failing to narrow differences with management over wages and other compensation.

The walkout marks the first strike by POSCO workers since the company was established in 1968.

The 48-hour partial walkout began at 7 a.m., involving around 120 workers at POSCO's steel plants in Pohang and Gwangyang in the southern part of the country, union spokesperson Yi Jae-hyuk said by phone.

POSCO has about 17,000 employees, of whom around 10,100 are union members.

The company said the limited number of workers participating in the strike is expected to have little impact on steel production, adding it will take measures to prevent disruptions to overall plant operations.

"Disruptions will be inevitable next week as our workers plan a 120-hour partial strike at the two plants starting at 7 a.m. on Sept. 16," union Chairman Kim Sung-ho said.

The union has demanded a 7.1 percent base pay increase, a 600 percent performance bonus, 50 company shares per worker and a 200 percent holiday bonus.

In addition to wage increases, the union has also cited staffing shortages and aging facilities as factors that could lead to safety incidents.

Management, meanwhile, has proposed a 2 percent increase in base pay, leaving the two sides far apart over their key wage demands.

Explore More