The tentative agreement on wages and collective bargaining between HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and the labor union was defeated in a vote by union members on the 22nd, failing to reach a settlement.
The Korean Metal Workers' Union's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries branch conducted a vote on the tentative collective bargaining agreement with management, involving 6,551 members, by noon that day, but 63.77% opposed it, resulting in its defeat.
The tentative agreement that was defeated that day was prepared right after the total strike by the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries union on the 18th. It included a monthly basic wage increase of 133,000 won (including a seniority increase of 35,000 won), a payment of 5.2 million won including gift certificates of 200,000 won, and a special incentive payment of 100% of the agreed wage.
The union's demands included an increase of 141,300 won in monthly basic pay, an increase in longevity allowances, an extension of the retirement age to 65, and improvements in the treatment of subcontracted workers. The tentative agreement only partially reflected the union's salary-related demands while other matters were not accepted.
The HD Hyundai Heavy Industries union plans to review additional negotiations and the possibility of a strike. Previously, the union secured legal strike rights based on a 64% approval from all members and the decision of the Central Labor Relations Commission to suspend mediation of the dispute.
An official from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said, “It is very regrettable that the tentative agreement prepared after much consideration by both management and labor was defeated,” adding, “We will continue to work to conclude negotiations.”