Information technology Largest Samsung union calls for indefinite strike
The largest trade union at South Korean electronics giant Samsung is accusing the company's management of being unwilling to negotiate. The current strike is to be extended.
10.07.2024, 09:28
SDA
The largest trade union at memory chip and smartphone world market leader Samsung in South Korea wants to continue its strike, which was originally limited in time, for an indefinite period. In doing so, the National Trade Union of Samsung Electronics (NSEU), which is demanding higher wages, wants to increase its pressure on management.
In a statement, it accuses the company management of being unwilling to negotiate. The union is therefore calling on its members to go on indefinite strike. "The company remains determined to negotiate with the union in good faith," Samsung said in a statement.
The strike is considered the first full-fledged strike in the company's 55-year history. Thousands of NSEU members have been taking part in the strike action since Monday. The majority of them, or more than 5,000, are employed in the semiconductor production sector, according to the union. The strike was initially planned for three days. The NSEU counts around 30,000 employees, or almost 24 percent of the total workforce, among its members.
3.5 percent wage increase
In its latest statement, the union is demanding a 3.5 percent increase in basic pay, improvements to the performance bonus system and compensation for members for their economic losses as a result of the strike. Instead of one day more vacation per year as before, the union also wants a one-day special vacation to mark the founding of the union.
Samsung did not initially comment on the demands. The company will ensure that there are no interruptions to the production lines, it said. Both sides have been negotiating since January. For many years, Samsung had been accused of pursuing an anti-union policy. Four years ago, the company's management promised to recognize the right of workers to form unions, negotiate collective agreements and assemble peacefully.
