SK Hynix Revises Bonus Deal: 50% Cash, 50% Stock

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As of September 10, 2026, SK hynix's management and labor union have reached a revised tentative bonus agreement that splits payouts evenly between cash and company stock. The new deal follows the rejection of an earlier agreement in a member vote, and the union plans to hold a ratification vote over two days, September 15 and 16.

50% cash / 50% stockBase bonus payout split under the revised agreement

Up to 100%Maximum stock share if employees opt in

Sept. 15–16Scheduled dates for the union's ratification vote

Key points

The revised deal lowers the stock share of bonus payouts from 60% to an even 50-50 split between cash and company shares.
Employees who prefer more stock can opt to raise the equity portion in 10-percentage-point increments, up to 100%.
Deferred bonus payments tied to last year's earnings, originally set to be paid out over the next two years, will now be paid earlier.
Eligibility for extra home-loan support now extends beyond married households to include single-parent families.

SK hynix's management and union hammered out a new tentative agreement on September 9, then held an emergency delegates' meeting the same day before setting a two-day ratification vote for September 15 and 16. The move comes after an earlier agreement, reached last month, failed to pass the union's full membership vote, sending both sides back to the negotiating table.

The core change in the revised deal is how bonuses get paid out. The stock portion of bonus compensation has been roughly cut in half, with cash making up the difference — though employees can flip that and choose to receive more stock, up to the full amount, if they prefer. The company said the change gives employees more flexibility to choose what fits their own circumstances.

The earlier agreement collapsed over pushback against paying out a large share of bonuses in stock. It was voted down by a narrow margin last month, and with AI-driven chip demand pushing company profits sharply higher, how to split the bigger payout between cash and stock became the central sticking point in the renewed talks.

The revised deal also adjusts payment timing and expands benefits. Deferred bonus payments based on last year's results — originally set to be spread out over the following two years — will now be paid sooner, and eligibility for extra home-loan assistance has been broadened to include single-parent households in addition to married couples.

SK hynix's labor and management had previously agreed to pay bonuses based on a set share of last year's operating profit with no upper cap. With this year's profit climbing on the back of the semiconductor upswing, the fight over how to divide a bigger bonus pool between cash and stock became the sharpest point of disagreement between the two sides.

In Korea right nowIn Korea, this renewed agreement is being watched as a bellwether for wage and benefits negotiations across the chip industry. With earnings continuing to climb on surging AI demand, the debate over splitting bonuses between cash and company stock is seen as a reference point that other major corporate labor negotiations may draw on.

FAQ

How does this revised agreement differ from the earlier one?

It lowers the stock portion of bonuses from 60% to 50% while raising the cash share, though employees can still opt back up to 100% stock if they choose.

When is the union vote?

Union members are set to vote on ratification over two days, September 15 and 16.

Why did the earlier agreement fail?

Many union members opposed paying out a large share of bonuses in company stock, and the deal was voted down by a narrow margin.