Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Hyundai Motor Workers Launch Full-Scale Strike Over Wage Dispute
Workers at Hyundai Motor in South Korea are on strike because they have not reached a wage agreement with the company.
The strike lasts for a full workday, which has not happened at Hyundai in 10 years.
About 39,000 workers are taking part.
Factories in Ulsan, Jeonju and Asan are stopping production during scheduled shifts.
The workers are seeking higher wages and other changes, including increased performance pay.
They also want some dismissed members reinstated and the retirement age extended.
More short strikes are planned for Monday and Tuesday.
The stoppages may reduce the number of cars Hyundai can make and sell while its global sales are already declining.
Hyundai Motor’s union began an eight-hour strike in South Korea after wage talks with management failed.
About 39,000 union members are participating, halting production at plants in Ulsan, Jeonju and Asan.
The walkout is the union’s first full-day strike in 10 years and brings total strike time since May to 60 hours.
Industry sources estimate losses of 55,200 vehicles and more than 2.3 trillion won in sales so far.
Additional four-hour strikes planned for Monday and Tuesday could raise losses through August 25 to about 62,000 vehicles and 2.6 trillion won.
- Who
- About 39,000 members of Hyundai Motor’s labour union and Hyundai Motor management.
- What
- The union launched an eight-hour strike after failing to reach an agreement over wages and other employment issues.
- When
- The full-day strike began on Friday; additional four-hour walkouts were planned for Monday and Tuesday. The articles do not specify the calendar date or year.
- Where
- Hyundai Motor plants in Ulsan, Jeonju and Asan, South Korea.
- Why
- The union and management remain divided over wages, a proposed 50 percent increase in performance-based pay, reinstatement of dismissed union members and extending the retirement age.
Union demands
Management position
Wages and performance pay
Union demands
The union is seeking wage improvements, including a proposed 50 percent increase in performance-based pay.
Management position
Management and the union have not reached an agreement on wages or the proposed performance-pay increase; the articles do not specify management’s exact position.
Dismissed members
Union demands
The union is seeking reinstatement of members dismissed over illegal activities.
Management position
Management has not agreed to the requested reinstatements, according to the report’s description of the unresolved issues.
Retirement age
Union demands
The union wants an extension of the retirement age.
Management position
Management and the union remain divided over the proposed extension; the articles provide no further details of management’s position.
- Participating workers
- About 39,000 union members
- Strike duration
- Eight hours on Friday, with production halted for a combined 16 hours across two shifts
- Strike history
- The first eight-hour strike by the union in 10 years
- Cumulative strike time
- About 60 hours since wage talks began in May
- Estimated initial losses
- Around 55,200 vehicles and more than 2.3 trillion won in lost sales
- Projected losses through August 25
- About 62,000 vehicles and 2.6 trillion won in lost sales
- July global sales
- 318,454 vehicles, down 5.1 percent year on year and marking the 10th consecutive monthly decline
