SK Hynix Wage Dispute Ends as Union Agrees to Receive Bonuses in 50% Cash and 50% Stock

TradingKey - SK Hynix union passes new wage agreement, bonuses changed to 50/50 "cash + stock" distribution.

According to South Korean media Yonhap on September 16, the tug-of-war over SK Hynix's 2026 wage and collective bargaining agreement officially came to an end today through a vote. Over the past two days, the union held a vote among all members on the revised wage agreement draft, which ultimately passed with 57.08% of votes in favor, ending the labor-management stalemate triggered last month due to an "overly low cash proportion."

In the first draft in August, the excess profit sharing was proposed to be distributed in the form of 40% cash + 60% stock. It was ultimately rejected due to employee dissatisfaction with the high risk of stock volatility, and has now been adjusted to 50% cash + 50% company stock. Of course, employees can also voluntarily apply to receive 100% in stock. As of press time, SK Hynix's stock price once surged close to the 1.73 million won (approx. $1,263) mark, with the gain currently narrowing to 1.18%, trading at 1,710,000 won.

SK Hynix stock price chart, Source: TradingView

Unlike SK Hynix, strike preparations and dispute procedures at Micron Technology's (MU) Taiwan plant are still moving forward. It is reported that Micron Technology rolled out a "highest-ever compensation" package on September 11, including a one-time cash bonus of NT$1 million (approx. $31,600) and incentives equivalent to 35 to 68 months of salary. However, the union held a press conference on September 15 to explicitly reject the offer, criticizing Micron for unilaterally announcing the reward package to the public during labor dispute mediation before reaching a consensus with the union, demonstrating a lack of sincerity in communication.