In a historic move, the National Samsung Electronics Union has announced the first strike at Samsung Electronics since its inception more than five decades ago.
The union, representing thousands of workers, plans a one-day protest on June 7, urging members to use their paid leave, with the possibility of escalating to a full-scale strike in the future.
With approximately 28,000 members, constituting over a fifth of Samsung Electronics’ workforce, the union’s actions signal a significant challenge for the company.
Samsung Electronics, in response, expresses its intention to continue negotiations with the union.
During a live-streamed news conference, a union representative emphasized the motivation behind the strike: “We can’t stand persecution against labor unions anymore. We are declaring a strike in the face of the company’s neglect of laborers.”
The core issue revolves around wage negotiations that have been ongoing since the beginning of the year.
The union demands a 6.5% pay increase and a bonus linked to the company’s profits, while Samsung Electronics management seeks to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
As the world’s leading producer of memory chips, smartphones, and televisions, Samsung Electronics’ operations are crucial to global electronics supply chains.
Analysts caution that a prolonged strike could impact computer chip manufacturing and ripple effects throughout the industry.
Samsung Electronics is part of the Samsung Group, a prominent conglomerate in South Korea.
The group’s traditional stance against unions shifted in 2020 amid public scrutiny following legal proceedings involving the company’s chairman.
The announcement of the strike had immediate effects on Samsung Electronics’ stock, with shares trading lower by about 2% in Seoul.
Source-BBC
