Hyundai Motor's labor unionists approve strike

Tens of thousands of unionized workers of Hyundai Motor Co. have voted in favor of a strike, officials said Thursday, setting the stage for another walkout that may cut the carmakers' vehicle output.

The officials said 37,358 unionized workers, or 76 percent of the more than 48,800 unionized workers, authorized a strike in a vote on Wednesday in Ulsan, home to Hyundai's main assembly plants, located some 410 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

Still, the unions are not allowed to down tools immediately during a mandatory mediation by the state-run National Labor Relations Commission, which usually lasts 10 days.

The commission said its mediation is scheduled to end Friday, though the mediation period could be extended for another 10 days.

Union spokesman Jang Chang-yeal vowed to make efforts to ensure that the rights and welfare benefits of the unionized workers will not be rolled back.

Hyundai Motor said it is regrettable that the union has chosen to stage a strike at a difficult time.

The union demands include a hike of 152,050 won ($131) in basic salaries and 30 percent of the company's net profit last year as a bonus.

Hyundai Motor's consolidated net profit came in at more than 6.5 trillion won last year.

Labor strikes have plagued Hyundai Motor for decades. The unionized workers have downed tools almost every year due to wage disputes and other issues since 1986, except in 1994, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011, according to the carmaker.

Hyundai Motor and its smaller sister company Kia Motors Corp. form Hyundai Motor Group, the world's fifth-largest automotive group. (Yonhap)