SEOUL, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Unionized workers at South Korea's Hyundai Motor began a strike Monday to call for more bonus payments.
Thousands of day and night shift workers laid down tools Monday afternoon in a partial walkout, ignoring warnings of stern counter-measures from the company and the government.
The 44,000-strong union said it wound return to work Tuesday to test the company's response, but will resume a partial walkout Wednesday if their demand is not met.
The striking workers are protesting the company's decision to cut year-end bonus payments by a third last month, citing a missed production target in 2006.
Hyundai Motor last year produced 1.62 million vehicles, about 8 percent less than its initial target of 1.77 million units. The automaker says it lost production of more than 100,000 vehicles worth 1.6 trillion won ($1.7 billion) last year because of strikes lasting 17 days.
The union said the decision to cut bonuses was made "unilaterally" by Hyundai's executives to hide their management failures, calling for the full bonus payment.
Earlier, Hyundai Motor President Yoon Yeo-cheol promised to hold unionized workers who actively take part in the "illegal" strike responsible for any damage. The company is seeking a court injunction to suspend the strike as a business disruption and illegal labor activity.
Labor Minister Lee Sang-soo also issued a statement calling for the union to scrap its walkouts.
