Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and increased pay 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) participated in the rally, which took place at the Giheung campus in Yongin, according to reports. This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung on Friday.
The NSEU workers initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after earlier walkouts did not yield the workplace advances their members sought. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many of those are actively striking. Nonetheless, this current strike represents the largest labor action in the history of the tech giant.
Samsung is anticipating a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of over 1,450% year-over-year due in part to a boom in artificial intelligence. The company has also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU argues that employees have not seen corresponding pay increases despite these record profits.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which specializes in manufacturing some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Additionally, experts note that Samsung has a history of being resistant to union activity and lacks experience in negotiations with its workforce.
If the striking workers achieve their goals, it could set a precedent that empowers labor movements across South Korea, according to Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.