New SK Hynix Union to Launch to Contest Performance Bonuses, Partners with Samsung Union

[Anchor]

As SK Hynix engages in labor-management negotiations over its "10 percent of operating profit" performance bonus payment system, the launch of a new labor union is imminent. The new union aims to secure majority status to participate in collective bargaining and has announced plans to form a solid alliance with the Samsung Electronics union.

Reporter Kwon Ran has the details.

[Reporter]

This is the newly opened website for SK Hynix's upcoming labor union.

Named the Unified Labor Union, it has already attracted more than 1,700 members.

Having submitted its establishment application on the 8th, the Unified Labor Union is scheduled to officially launch tomorrow (the 13th), pending final document review by the labor office.

The Unified Labor Union pointed out that three existing unions, currently divided by region and job category, have diluted bargaining power, and announced plans to boost negotiation 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 part of the "10 percent operating profit" performance bonus in company shares and firmly defend the principle of cash-only payouts.

It also highlighted differences from existing unions, such as transparently disclosing the negotiation process and granting equal voting rights to all members.

Rather than joining the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) or the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), it stated that it will join hands with the Samsung Electronics Super-Corporate Labor Union, which recently reached a performance bonus agreement with management.

The Samsung Electronics Super-Corporate Labor Union also stated, "We will review plans to issue joint statements on major issues."

However, it remains uncertain whether the Unified Labor Union will be able to participate in the ongoing wage and collective agreements, which have already reached their sixth round of negotiations.

[Kim Sang-bong / Professor of Economics, Hansung University : The Unified Labor Union may secure bargaining rights. However, because it has to listen to various voices across different job categories and regions, acquiring the bargaining rights itself could prove difficult.]

While the Unified Labor Union announced it will maximize its influence by demanding observation of negotiations, disclosure of progress, and delivery of member opinions, some forecast that controversies surrounding operating profits and performance bonuses could reignited.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

Reported by Bae Moon-san | Video by Kim Jin-won | Graphics by Han Heung-su
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.