Around 1,200 employees from the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered for a significant rally in Yongin, South Korea, on Monday, marking the third week of their strike for improved working conditions and increased wages.
The demonstration unfolded along the Giheung campus, following a recent initial round of wage negotiations between the union and Samsung, which took place last Friday, according to reports.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not yield the desired results. Despite the union representing over 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the ongoing indefinite strike, but it is recognized as the largest in the company’s history.
Samsung has been projecting a more than 1,450% rise in second-quarter revenue year-over-year, driven by an AI surge, alongside a reported tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. Nevertheless, the NSEU claims that employees are not seeing corresponding salary increases despite the company’s record financial performance.
Many striking workers are engaged in the production of advanced computer chips at Samsung’s foundry, as reported. Experts highlight Samsung’s challenging relationship with unions, noting the company’s limited experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, remarked that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could strengthen labor movements across South Korea.