Samsung Electronics unions threaten first-ever strike, impact unclear

Union representatives held a rally on Wednesday close to Samsung’s headquarters in midtown Seoul after authorities arbitration broke down earlier this week. They’re calling for wage gaps amongst workers to be narrowed, extra paid depart and higher well being advantages.

“There are numerous choices, certainly one of which is a strike,” stated Kim Grasp-yeol, head of one of many 4 unions representing Samsung Electronics staff.

“We’ll proceed to combat to make sure wage negotiations and collective bargaining with not solely Samsung Electronics, but in addition all unions of Samsung associates.”

Union officers sought a direct assembly with the highest administration of the sprawling conglomerate’s flagship chipmaker and world’s prime smartphone producer.

The potential impression on the corporate’s operations isn’t clear as the biggest of the 4 unions, the Nationwide Samsung Electronics Union, has roughly 4,500 members, about 4 p.c of the 114,373 workers within the nation.

Union members are additionally cautious of antagonising the general public at a time of rising discontent over working circumstances and pay inequity.

“We do not need a strike at a chip line. If I stated we wish to cease a chip line that might make us right into a public enemy,” stated Lee Hyun-kuk, one other union official.

The unions declined to touch upon what number of of their members have been within the chip division.

Samsung Electronics stated in a press release: “The corporate continues to have interaction in dialogue with the unions and is making each honest effort to return to an settlement.”

The corporate, based in 1969, averted unionisation till the top of 2010s. Its chief Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee has since pledged to “set up a sound labour-management tradition.”

“South Korea’s tradition and financial state of affairs has modified,” stated Taeyoon Sung, Professor of Economics at Yonsei College. “Samsung Electronics, which was not affected by union actions up to now, should view unions as a accomplice, whereas unions could discover it tough to strike as a result of unfavourable views in opposition to robust labour responses.”