Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) union members launched a partial strike Tuesday after wage negotiations broke down with the South Korean shipyard, with about 700 workers from the facility operation unit participating in the collective walkout, according to local media Korean Herald.

The strike, which lasted for three hours, is the first collective strike by the union in 23 years after it was established in 1993. HHI union planned to stage strike action again on Wednesday and Friday.

"The strike of Hyundai Heavy Industries is against the company’s lack of sincerity for the wage deal and an attempt to deter the restructuring plan ... (the union) will stage a collective strike anytime if necessary," the union said, as reported in Korea Herald.

Union members were seeking higher wages and bonuses, while hoping their views would be reflected in the formation of disciplinary committee and the appointment of non executive directors in the company. On its part, HHI demanded a repeal of special welfare measures for workers such as overseas training programs and special bonuses for those who have worked for over 20 years.

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