SEOUL, South Korea (AP) _ Union workers at Kia Motors Corp. voted Friday to approve a new wage agreement, the carmaker said, putting an end to a series of strikes that took place amid negotiations.

Workers approved a 5.2 per cent increase in basic pay for this year, a special bonus equivalent to two months' salary and a lump sum payment of one million won (US$1,052), said company spokesman Michael Choo.

Fifty-eight per cent of the 27,163 union members that voted cast ballots in favour of the deal, Choo said.

Kia workers had staged partial strikes between June 28 and July 20 seeking an 8.9 per cent annual increase in basic pay.

Monday, the union held a four-hour strike after rejecting the company's offer of a 5.2 per cent pay hike, a special bonus equivalent to 1.5 months' pay and the one-million-won lump sum payment.

The two sides reached a tentative agreement Tuesday, which was subject to vote.

Kia is an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Co., the world's sixth-largest automaker.

Labour unions at the two companies are known for their militancy. Hyundai's union has gone on strike every year but one since it was founded in 1987.