Members of Samsung Electronics’ union hold placards in front of the company’s office building in Seocho, southern Seoul, June 7. Yonhap
Samsung Electronics union members plan to hold a three-day general strike this week after their negotiations with management over wages and working conditions failed.
The National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU), the largest union with 28,000 members, announced plans for the strike last week, saying the aim was to disrupt production.
This represents about 22 percent of Samsung Electronics’ total workforce of around 125,000 employees. The actual number of union members involved in the strike is still uncertain, and the likelihood of major production disruptions is likely to be low.
During the three days, union members plan to hold rallies in front of the entrance to the company premises in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, among other things.
The two sides have held several rounds of talks since January but have not been able to resolve their differences over wage increases, vacation arrangements and bonuses.
The union demanded a day’s holiday for all employees and a significant salary increase for the 855 members who had not signed the collective agreement for 2024.
In addition, the union demanded that the company offer more paid leave and compensate for the economic losses caused by unpaid strikes.
In June, union members at Samsung Electronics went on a one-day strike, the first labor strike at the company.
The NSEU said the company refused to accept any of its demands during the two-week adjustment period that began on June 13. If no progress is made in negotiations during this week’s strike, it will hold another five-day strike starting on July 15. (Yonhap)
