Hyundai’s record breaking sales in the United States have been overshadowed by domestic unrest.
Union workers in South Korea are preparing for strike action this week, demanding higher wages, shorter hours, and improved benefits.
According to Reuters, walkouts are scheduled at major Hyundai plants in Asan, Jeonju, and Ulsan.
These facilities are responsible for a wide range of models, including the Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, Palisade, Sonata, and Grandeur. The action could also affect the luxury Genesis line up, with the G70, G80, G90, GV60, GV70, and GV80 all built at plants included in the strike.
The scope is significant, but the strikes will be limited in length. Workers are expected to walk off the job for two hours on Wednesday and Thursday, before expanding the stoppage to four hours on Friday. Even with the short duration, the disruption has the potential to ripple through supply chains if no resolution is found.
Union members are asking for several changes.
Among them is a shift to a four and a half day work week and an increase in the retirement age from 60 to 64. Workers are also seeking a monthly pay increase equivalent to around 102 US dollars, as well as a performance bonus worth 30 percent of Hyundai’s net profit from last year.
Reports suggest that 86 percent of the workforce voted in favour of the action, rejecting Hyundai’s previous offers to raise wages and introduce a bonus. The company’s proposals fell short of union expectations, setting the stage for this week’s coordinated strikes.
It has been nearly a decade since Hyundai’s union last staged a full strike over wages, which suggests that both sides may be reluctant to escalate beyond these limited stoppages.
However, the demands come at a sensitive time. Hyundai is investing heavily in electrification and overseas production to navigate shifting trade policies, including tariffs from the United States.
The strikes highlight the tension between record global performance and the domestic workforce that builds the vehicles. For Hyundai, balancing profitability with worker satisfaction will be critical. The coming days will show whether these short stoppages are a warning shot or the start of a deeper standoff.
