Samsung workers’ union announces first-ever strike for chipmaker
Will Samsung's First Strike Crush Chip Production?
Samsung Electronics faces its first-ever strike, with about 28,000 union members planning to strike on June 7. This action could potentially escalate to a general strike. The strike stems from unresolved wage negotiations since January and demands for better bonus transparency. This move by the union, representing 20% of Samsung's workforce, marks a significant shift for a company historically resistant to unionization.
How many Samsung Electronics workers are represented by the union, and what percentage of the company's workforce do they constitute?
The National Samsung Electronics Union represents around 28,000 workers at Samsung Electronics, which constitutes around 20% of the company's total workforce.
What are the main reasons behind the union's decision to strike at Samsung Electronics?
The main reasons behind the union's decision to strike at Samsung Electronics are:
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Dispute over pay increases: The union members are demanding a pay raise, and negotiations with the management have failed to reach an agreement. The union has accepted the pay raise proposed by the company but is also asking for an additional holiday and a transparent system to measure performance bonuses based on sales profit.
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Company's neglect of laborers: The National Samsung Electronics Union states that they are declaring a strike due to the company's neglect of laborers1. They have tried to solve the issue through dialogue, but the company has not been responsive according to the union leaders.
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First-ever strike in the company's history: This is the first time that Samsung Electronics employees have decided to go on strike since the company was founded. The union believes that this unprecedented action demonstrates the gravity of the situation and the workers' dissatisfaction with the company's management.
The one-day strike on June 7th is intended to pressure the company to engage in more meaningful negotiations and address the workers' demands.