Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and increased pay gathered for a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their actions into the third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, following initial wage negotiation discussions with Samsung that took place on Friday.
Union representatives declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after previous negotiations failed to yield the workplace improvements sought by their members.
While the union claims to represent over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this strike is now recorded as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a more than 1,450% increase in its revenue for the second quarter compared to last year, driven by a surge in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. Despite these significant financial successes, NSEU asserts that workers have not seen corresponding increases in their wages.
Many striking employees are involved in Samsung’s foundry operations, where some of the world’s most advanced computer chips are manufactured.
Experts note that Samsung has a history of being resistant to union activities and has limited experience in negotiating with its workforce.
According to Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could bolster labor movements throughout South Korea.