Employees at Samsung are continuing their strike for improved working conditions and pay, holding a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their action.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched at the Giheung campus in Yongin, according to reports. This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place last Friday.
The NSEU workers initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the desired workplace improvements. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains uncertain how many are participating in the ongoing strike, which has become the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite Samsung’s expectation of a significant increase in second-quarter revenue—projected to soar over 1,450% year-over-year due to a surge in AI demand—and a tenfold profit increase reported for the first quarter of 2024, the NSEU states that workers are not seeing equivalent raises in their wages.
Many striking employees are involved in Samsung’s foundry operations, where they produce some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Experts also note that Samsung has traditionally been resistant to union activities and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, emphasized that if Samsung workers are successful in their efforts, it could bolster the labor movement across South Korea.