South Korea’s shipbuilding industry struggles to capitalize on a rare boom period as unions from major companies plan joint strikes. Unions from the so-called ‘Big Three’ companies—HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries—are set to discuss strike schedules as early as mid-August.
On July 30, the HD HHI union, part of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union, announced that under the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) decided to halt mediation in their labor dispute. This decision followed the union’s application for mediation on July 18. When the NLRC ceases mediation due to significant differences between labor and management, the union gains the right to strike or stage slowdowns, while management can implement lockouts. The HD HHI union voted to strike on July 25 before the NLRC decision.
Negotiations between HD HHI management and the union have occurred 16 times this year, with the last meeting held on July 25 before the summer break. Both parties plan to resume negotiations on Aug. 13.
In addition to resuming negotiations, unions are preparing for a collective strike in mid-August. The unions from eight South Korean shipbuilders, including HD Hyundai Samho, HD Hyundai Mipo, Hanwha Ocean, Samsung Heavy Industries, and HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, are joining forces. These labor unions plan to meet in mid-August to finalize the strike schedule.
The Hanwha Ocean union voted to strike on July 15, followed by the Samsung Heavy Industries labor council on July 22. The unions of HD Hyundai Mipo and HD Hyundai Samho also approved strikes through member votes on July 24 and July 26, respectively.
