On Monday, Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher pay staged a large rally in South Korea, marking the third week of their strike against the tech giant.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not yield any significant workplace improvements. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many have joined the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this ongoing action is noted as the largest in the company’s history.
Samsung anticipates a more than 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue year-over-year, driven by a boom in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold surge in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that employees have not seen corresponding increases in their pay despite these record financial results.
Many workers participating in the strike are employed in Samsung’s foundry, which produces some of the most advanced computer chips globally.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly towards unions and lacks substantial experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Professor Vladimir Tikhonov from the University of Oslo noted that if Samsung workers succeed in their strike efforts, it could empower labor movements throughout South Korea.