Hyundai Strike Ends Despite Impasse on Pay

Union leaders today called off a prolonged strike at Hyundai, South Korea’s largest auto maker, after agreeing to resume negotiations with management on wage increases.

Labor union officials at Hyundai Motor Co. ended the 24-day strike for higher wages, telling workers they were damaging the auto maker. The leaders said the company had assured them of raises.

Union leader Lee Yung Bok told about 10,000 auto workers assembled at Hyundai’s Ulsan plant that the union decided to change its tactics and negotiate a wage increase with management after resuming work.

Workers Seek $130

The company had offered workers a pay increase of $106 a month. The union is demanding $130. Hyundai auto workers earn an average of $800 a month after six months, including allowances.

About 500 workers at the rally booed and protested the decision to end the strike. They said they did not want to resume work until a wage settlement was reached.

A leader of a hard-line union faction, speaking on condition of anonymity, said many union members would show up at the plant Tuesday, but would refuse to work unless the wage dispute was settled by then.