"For Performance Bonuses?" A New SK Hynix Labor Union Set to Team Up With Samsung Electronics Union

[Anchor]

As SK Hynix is currently in labor-management negotiations over its "10% operating profit performance bonus" payment system, the launch of a new labor union is imminent. The new union plans to secure majority status to participate in labor negotiations and has also signaled solidarity with the Samsung Electronics labor union.

Here is a report by reporter Kwon Ran.

[Reporter]

This is the recently launched website for SK Hynix's new labor union.

Under the name of the Unified Labor Union, more than 1,700 members have joined so far.

Having submitted its establishment application on the 8th, the Unified Labor Union is scheduled to officially launch tomorrow (the 13th), around the time the labor office finishes reviewing the documents.

The Unified Labor Union stated that the current three labor unions divided by region and job category are diluting bargaining power, and it plans to boost its negotiating leverage as a "one team."

Its top priority is to secure 18,000 members, which is more than half of all employees, to obtain majority union status and acquire bargaining rights.

Afterward, it emphasized that it will block management's attempt to pay part of the "10% operating profit performance bonus" in company shares and safeguard the principle of paying the full amount in cash.

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

Instead of joining the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) or the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), it announced that it will join hands with the Samsung Electronics supra-corporate labor union, which recently led a performance bonus agreement against management.

The Samsung Electronics supra-corporate labor union also stated, "We will consider ways to issue joint statements together on major issues."

However, even if the Unified Labor Union officially launches, it remains uncertain whether it will be able to participate in the wage and collective agreement negotiations, which have already proceeded to the sixth round.

[Interview: Kim Sang-bong / Professor of Economics, Hansung University]
(The Unified Labor Union) may acquire bargaining rights. However, because it has to listen to various (job category and regional) opinions, obtaining the bargaining rights themselves could be difficult.

While the Unified Labor Union has announced that it will exert maximum influence by demanding participation as observers in negotiations, disclosing progress, and delivering members' opinions, forecasts suggest that controversies surrounding operating profits and performance bonuses could resurface.

(Video Reporter: Bae Moon-san | Video Editor: Kim Jin-won | Designer: Han Heung-soo)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.