SK hynix recognizes new unified union as legitimate but denies bargaining rights

The newly formed Hynix Unified Labor Union has received official recognition from SK hynix as a legitimate union. However, the company made clear that the unified union holds no bargaining rights, as wage and collective agreement negotiations are already underway with the existing union.

According to industry sources Friday, SK hynix sent an official letter to the unified union on Wednesday stating, "We have confirmed your status as a legitimate labor union," and expressed hope to "build a sound labor-management relationship grounded in mutual trust and cooperation."

The company nonetheless notified the union that it "is currently conducting negotiations with the existing union, and the unified union has not participated in the ongoing bargaining process and therefore holds no bargaining rights."

Earlier, the unified union had asked the company to share details of the ongoing wage and collective agreement negotiations and to explain the specific reasons behind its decision to change the bonus system — shifting from full cash payouts to partial share payments — as well as whether there were "significant managerial grounds" to reverse last year's labor-management agreement. The union also said it should be allowed to engage in separate collective bargaining.

The company rejected those requests, saying in its letter that sharing bargaining details as the unified union had requested "would constitute an unfair labor practice of domination and interference in the existing union's collective bargaining activities."

The unified union informed its members of the recognition and said it plans to schedule a formal introductory meeting with management, adding that collective bargaining with the company would follow.

The unified union, which represents both production workers and technical office staff, currently has 3,467 members — roughly 10 percent of SK hynix's total workforce of about 35,000 employees.