Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and increased pay staged a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their strike against the company for a third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus located in Yongin. This action followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout failed to achieve the workplace improvements its members are seeking.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains uncertain how many are involved in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this current strike is noted as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Despite Samsung projecting a staggering 1,450% year-over-year revenue increase in the second quarter, driven by an AI boom, as well as a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024, the NSEU has stated that workers have not seen corresponding pay raises.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which produces some of the most advanced computer chips globally.
Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being hostile toward unions and lacks extensive experience in negotiations with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, commented that if the workers at Samsung achieve success in their efforts, it could inspire and empower the broader labor movement across South Korea.