Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages gathered for a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing action against the company.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) demonstrated and marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. This rally followed initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 when earlier attempts to reach workplace improvements did not meet their demands. While the union represents more than 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike is unclear. Nonetheless, this strike is noted to be the largest in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projected to rise over 1,450% year-over-year, largely attributed to a boom in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, NSEU representatives highlight that workers have not seen wage increases despite these record profits.
Many striking employees are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which produces highly advanced computer chips. Experts suggest that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to unions and has limited experience in negotiating with its workforce.
A professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, Vladimir Tikhonov, commented that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could bolster the labor movement across South Korea.