Robots as a Bargaining Chip in South Korea's Labor Disputes A recent three day partial strike by Hyundai workers in Ulsan, South Korea has highlighted the complex dynamics between labor unions and automation in the country's automotive industry.
The union is seeking concessions from management in exchange for accepting the introduction of humanoid robots, Atlas, which Hyundai plans to deploy at manufacturing sites worldwide.
The union's strategy appears pragmatic: negotiating better terms for workers who will inevitably be displaced by robots.