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A panoramic view of POSCO Group headquarters. / POSCO Group

The POSCO labor union has launched a partial strike targeting select processes at the Pohang and Gwangyang steel mills. Although first-day turnout remained limited to around 100 workers, the union warned it would expand the scale and scope of the walkout if negotiations stall. Management maintains that preemptive countermeasures will prevent significant production disruptions.

The POSCO labor union, affiliated with the Federation of Korean Metalworkers' Trade Unions under the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, announced that it entered into a partial strike across select operations at the Pohang and Gwangyang steel mills starting at 7 AM on the 9th.

The union estimated that approximately 40 workers at the Pohang mill and 80 at the Gwangyang mill took part. Management assessed that actual participation was lower than the union's tally.

POSCO employs about 17,000 workers, including corporate headquarters staff. Roughly 8,000 employees are stationed at the Pohang steel mill and 7,000 at the Gwangyang steel mill, with total union membership standing at around 10,100. The company estimated that participants in this partial strike accounted for roughly 1% of the total union workforce.

The strike's operational impact is also projected to remain limited. Anticipating the possibility of industrial action, POSCO adjusted staffing allocations and production schedules beforehand. Core operations, including molten iron production, are categorized under the collective bargaining agreement as essential duties requiring uninterrupted staffing, ensuring the core production system remains active. The union likewise affirmed that it is conducting industrial action strictly within the bounds permitted by relevant labor laws and the collective bargaining agreement.

Labor and management plan to continue wage negotiations during the partial strike. In bargaining sessions held on the 3rd, the union demanded a 7.1% increase in base pay, a 600% performance incentive bonus, 50 employee stock ownership shares, and a 200% traditional holiday bonus.

Management countered with an offer of a 2.0% base pay increase, 3.5 million won in performance incentives, 500,000 won in local gift certificates, and expanded long-service bonuses. A wide gap remains between the two sides regarding wage hike margins and compensation packages.

The union warned that if negotiations fail to make headway after this initial partial walkout, it will significantly broaden the scope of strike targets and worker participation.

Kim Seong-ho, head of the POSCO union, stated, "The ball is now in the court of POSCO Holdings Chairman Chang In-hwa."

A POSCO official said, "The company made thorough preparations to prevent production hiccups ahead of the union's partial walkout, and we anticipate minimal disruptions in actual output," adding, "We will continue to listen to union demands, maintain dialogue, and make every effort to reach a wage deal."

                                                                                                                Kim Yu-ra