Hyundai Motor workers vote to reject pay deal

SEOUL: Workers at South Korea's largest car maker Hyundai Motor have voted to reject a pay deal reached between management and union leaders, officials said on Friday.

Some 61 per cent of union members voted against the deal reached Tuesday after months of negotiations and partial work stoppages, a company spokesman said.

Under the deal the company agreed to raise the monthly basic salary by 5.61 per cent and pay a bonus equivalent to three months' salary plus a lump-sump payment of USD 2,659.

Hyundai Motor also agreed to abolish its all-night shift. "We don't know when both sides will resume negotiations. Union leaders will meet next week to discuss their next steps," the spokesman said.

Negotiations began in May. Since July 2 workers have staged partial strikes, which the company says have cost about USD 425 million in lost production.

Hyundai Motor with its affiliate Kia Motors forms the Hyundai Automotive Group, the world's sixth largest automaker.