POSCO and its labor union failed to narrow their differences even during additional wage negotiations. As scheduled, the union entered a second partial strike at 7 a.m. on the 16th for a duration of 120 hours.
According to industry sources on the 16th, the POSCO Labor Union began its second partial strike at 7 a.m. today at the No. 2 Hot Rolling Mill at Pohang Steelworks and the No. 4 Hot Rolling Mill at Gwangyang Steelworks. Management and labor held their eighth round of negotiations for 12 days starting at 2 p.m. on the 15th at POSCO's headquarters in Pohang, but talks repeatedly stalled without achieving any progress.
The union is demanding a 7.1% base wage increase, a 600% bonus payment, 50 shares of Lisa stock, and a 200% holiday bonus. Management has proposed a 2% base wage increase, a performance-based bonus of 3.5 million won, the issuance of 500,000 won local love gift certificates, and an expansion of the scope for increasing tenure celebration bonuses.
POSCO explains that it is difficult to accept all union demands due to deteriorating steel market conditions and high U.S. tariffs. It is estimated that fully accepting the union's demands would cost approximately 1.4 trillion won.
Previously, the union conducted a first partial strike lasting 48 hours starting from the 9th. It is understood that around 120 union members from the hot rolling mills at Pohang and Gwangyang Steelworks participated in the second partial strike.
Management plans to minimize production disruptions caused by the second partial strike by deploying replacement workers, among other measures. In fact, POSCO has agreement-based workers who are required to perform normal duties even during the strike period. Current inventory levels are sufficient, so significant production disruptions are not expected. The impact on operations during the first partial strike was also minimal.
The union stated, "Although we have entered a second partial strike, channels for communication and dialogue with management remain open," adding, "If there is an improved proposal, we can halt the strike." Management responded, "We will listen carefully to the union's demands, communicate transparently, and do our utmost to achieve mutual growth between labor and management and reach a swift conclusion on wage negotiations."
in INDUSTRY
