[THE INVESTOR] Concerns are growing about widespread strikes in July as major labor unions are forming alliances to take industrial action.

On June 16, the unions of Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Heavy Industries said that they would work together for an “all out strike” in July.

The unions of both Hyundai affiliates warned of a strike should this year’s wage negotiations spill over into July. 

“Walkouts will be conducted alongside the negotiations this year, together with the 150,000 members of the Metal Workers’ Union (Hyundai Motor union) we will fight the Hyundai Motor Group,” Hyundai Motor union leader Park Yoo-ki said on June 16.

The Metal Workers’ Union is a subgroup of the hardline umbrella union Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.

On the same day, Hyundai Heavy union echoed the hardline stance saying that it will work with the unions of Hyundai Motor, and others included in KCTU for an all-out strike in July.

“This is the first time Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Heavy unions are fighting together since 1993,” the Ulsan branch of KCTU said at a press conference. The umbrella group added that it will “defend the members from restructuring and mass layoffs.”

Hyundai Motor union is a member of KCTU, but Hyundai Heavy union has been independent since 2004.

In addition to the formerly affiliated firms, the construction union based in Ulsan has also indicated its willingness to participate in the July strikes.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)