Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and better pay organized a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing action.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as reported.
This rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday. The NSSU workers initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout did not achieve the workplace enhancements they sought.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear exactly how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this current strike is noted as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, predicted to rise more than 1,450% year-on-year, largely driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. Additionally, the company reported a ten-fold surge in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU points out that workers have not seen corresponding raises in compensation despite these record profits.
Many of the striking workers are involved in Samsung’s foundry, responsible for manufacturing some of the most sophisticated computer chips globally.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a longstanding aversion to unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce. A professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, Vladimir Tikhonov, suggested that if Samsung workers achieve their goals, it could significantly empower labor movements across South Korea.