SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - Automaker Hyundai Motor on Monday called on its labor union, which secured the right to strike last week, to resume wage talks.
CEO Choi Young-il visited the union office earlier in the day, where he said he wanted to resume talks that had stalled after negotiations with unionized workers broke down on June 12.
Choi's visit suggests that the two sides could return to the negotiating table as early as this week, with Choi expected to put forward a proposal after about a dozen previous rounds of talks failed to produce an agreement.
He apparently sought help in reaching a deal as soon as possible, citing worsening business conditions after operating profit declined last year and performance remained weak in the first half of this year.
But unionized workers reportedly remain firm, calling for a fair distribution of the company's profits in recognition of their contributions.
They have demanded a 149,600-won increase in monthly base pay, separate from seniority-based raises, as well as bonuses equivalent to 30 percent of last year's net profit and guarantees on jobs and working conditions amid concerns over artificial intelligence (AI)-driven job insecurity.
They have also called for shorter working hours without increased work intensity, an extension of the retirement age up to 65, and additional hiring of new staff.
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