[Anchor]
As SK Hynix negotiates with management over a performance bonus system linked to 10 percent of operating profit, the launch of a new labor union is imminent. The new union plans to secure majority status to participate in collective bargaining and has also announced plans to form an alliance with the labor union at Samsung Electronics.
Reporter Kwon Ran has the details.
[Reporter]
This is the newly opened website for the new SK Hynix labor union.
Operating under the name United Union, over 1,700 members have joined so far.
Having submitted its application for establishment on the 8th, the United Union is scheduled to officially launch tomorrow (the 13th), as the labor office completes its review of the documents.
The United Union stated that the existing three unions, divided by region and job category, have dispersed bargaining power, and it plans to maximize leverage as a "one team."
Its top priority is securing 18,000 members—more than half of all employees—to achieve majority union status and acquire bargaining rights.
The union emphasized that it will block management's attempt to pay a portion of the "10 percent operating profit performance bonus" in company stock and uphold the principle of full cash payment.
It also highlighted differences from existing unions, such as transparently disclosing the negotiation process and granting equal voting rights to all members.
Instead of affiliating with umbrella organizations like the Federation of Korean Trade Unions or the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the union announced it will join hands with the Samsung Electronics supra-corporate union, which recently extracted a performance bonus agreement from management.
The Samsung Electronics supra-corporate union also stated, "We will review plans to issue joint statements on major issues."
However, it remains uncertain whether the United Union will be able to participate in the ongoing wage and collective bargaining negotiations, which have already reached the sixth round.
[Interview / Kim Sang-bong / Professor of Economics, Hansung University]
"(The United Union) could potentially acquire bargaining rights. However, because they must listen to various perspectives from different job categories and regions, securing those bargaining rights itself might prove difficult."
While the United Union stated it will exert maximum influence by demanding participation as observers in negotiations, disclosure of progress, and delivery of member opinions, projections suggest that controversies surrounding operating profits and performance bonuses could resurface.
(Video Reporter: Bae Moon-san | Video Editor: Kim Jin-won | Designer: Han Heung-su)
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