Hyundai Motor’s union criticized over demands for shorter working hours

Hyundai Motor’s labor union is drawing increasing public criticism for its demands to cut working hours and extend the retirement age, even as the nation’s leading exporter grapples with mounting business uncertainties stemming from U.S. tariffs. The union initiated this year’s wage negotiations with the carmaker’s management, Wednesday. The union’s demand to introduce a 4.5-day workweek is emerging as a major sticking point, seen as untimely and excessive given that the company is feared to suffer a sharp decline in annual operating profit due to the 25-percent auto tariff imposed by the U.S. In addition, the union urges management to reduce working hours without corresponding wage cuts. It also demands that the carmaker allocate 30 percent of its net profit to employee incentives. This amounts to around 4 trillion won ($2.95 billion). Officials from the industry argue that union members should take into consideration the tariff-driven risk factor facing management. The carmaker is operating in emergency mode to minimize the impact of U.S. tariffs at a time when ongoing tariffWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times