Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in a large rally on Monday at the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as their strike for improved working conditions and higher wages extends into its third week. This demonstration followed initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not yield the desired workplace improvements. While the union represents more than 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many employees are actively engaged in the indefinite strike, which is notable for being the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite Samsung Electronics projecting a more than 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue year-over-year due to a surge in artificial intelligence, and a tenfold profit growth in the first three months of 2024, the NSEU has emphasized that workers have not received corresponding pay raises.
Many striking employees are involved in the production of cutting-edge computer chips at Samsung’s foundry. Analysts indicate that Samsung has a reputation for being adversarial towards unions and lacks extensive experience in negotiating with its workforce. Experts, such as Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, suggest that if Samsung workers achieve their goals, it could significantly empower the broader labor movement in South Korea.