Seoul: The labor union of Hyundai Motor Co. announced on Tuesday its decision to hold a series of four-day partial strikes this week after negotiations with management over wage increases reached an impasse. The planned industrial action underscores the escalating tensions between the automaker and its workforce over compensation terms.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the union has scheduled four-hour strikes on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by six-hour strikes on Friday and Sunday. This move comes after previous partial strikes last month, which amounted to a total of 30 hours and the refusal to work special shifts on four Saturdays. These actions led to an estimated production loss of 42,510 vehicles, highlighting the significant impact of the ongoing dispute on Hyundai's operations.

The latest strike initiative is a result of the failure to resolve wage disagreements after the most recent negotiations on July 8. The 40,000-member union is demanding a 149,600-won (approximately US$105.6) increase in monthly base pay, along with a performance-based bonus that equates to 30 percent of the company's net profit from the previous year.

On the other hand, Hyundai Motor's management has proposed an 80,000-won increase in monthly base pay, alongside a performance bonus amounting to 350 percent of the monthly salary and an additional 10 million won. The offer also includes 15 shares of company stock. Despite these terms, the union remains steadfast in its demands, setting the stage for continued industrial action.