Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher pay staged a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing action against the company.
Around 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, which took place at the Giheung campus in Yongin. This protest followed initial wage negotiation talks between the union and Samsung that occurred on Friday.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not result in the desired workplace improvements for its members. While the union represents over 30,000 workers, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this action is considered the largest in Samsung’s history.
Samsung is anticipating a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, which is expected to rise over 1,450% year-over-year due to the AI boom. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, union representatives claim that employees have not seen corresponding raises in pay despite these record-breaking returns.
Many of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they produce some of the most advanced computer chips globally. Experts indicate that Samsung is known for its unfriendly stance towards unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, remarked that if Samsung workers are successful in their efforts, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.