SK hynix officially recognizes integrated labor union amid failed wage agreement vote, adding a new variable to negotiations

[Financial News] SK hynix has officially recognized the "SK hynix Integrated Labor Union," which represents production workers as well as technical and office employees, as a formal labor union. Because negotiations over this year’s wage and collective bargaining agreement are already under way with the existing union, the integrated union cannot join the talks immediately. However, it plans to meet with management soon for an introductory session and begin full-scale labor-management discussions.
According to the integrated union on the 28th, SK hynix sent a letter on the 26th confirming that it had recognized the union as a lawful labor organization. The company also said it hoped to build a healthy labor-management relationship based on mutual trust and cooperation.
The response followed two letters the integrated union sent to management on the 19th and 24th, asking for confirmation of its union status, information on the wage agreement process, and separate collective bargaining. After filing for union establishment on the 13th, the integrated union requested explanations on the progress and schedule of the ongoing wage agreement talks, as well as key issues such as wages, bonuses and welfare benefits. In particular, it asked for materials on the specific details and legal effect of the bonus fund and payment standards agreed upon by labor and management last year. It also sought an explanation for the alleged failure to implement the bonus agreement and called for separate collective bargaining.
Management, while recognizing the integrated union’s lawful status, said it would be difficult for the union to participate in this year’s wage agreement talks. SK hynix stated, "We are currently negotiating with the existing union, and the integrated union has no bargaining rights because it is not participating in the ongoing negotiation process."
The integrated union now has 3,472 members. That accounts for about 10% of the company’s total workforce of roughly 35,000. In addition, after the tentative wage agreement reached on the 25th was rejected, some members of the existing union have been leaving, and the number of new members joining the integrated union is reportedly rising steadily.
[email protected] Im Su-bin Reporter