Samsung Electronics’ largest workers’ union in South Korea, the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU), announced a four-day strike set to begin on Thursday. This move comes in response to failed negotiations with management over wage increases and bonuses, Reuters news report said.
The union is demanding a 5.6 percent increase in basic pay for all members, a guaranteed day off on the union’s founding day and compensation for economic losses due to the strike, Yonhap news report said.
Samsung Electronics has offered a 5.1 percent increase in wages, while emphasizing its commitment to building a win-win relationship with the labor union.
Lee Hyun-kuk, vice president of the NSEU, stated in a live YouTube broadcast that the strike is “strategically designed to damage the company.”
The union, which represents 36,500 members — approximately 30 percent of Samsung Electronics’ South Korean workforce — believes that the strike could disrupt production as many workers will also be away for a national holiday on Thursday.
Samsung Electronics responded by stating that they plan to ensure no production disruptions and will adhere to a “no-work, no-pay” policy. The company expressed a willingness to continue negotiations with the union.
The union had initially declared an indefinite strike in July but called off the action in early August after talks with management broke down. Despite this, the union remains committed to its demands for better pay and benefits and has indicated it may hold additional unexpected strikes in the future. Samsung Electronics noted that the previous strike in July did not impact production.
