Employees of Samsung Electronics, seeking improved working conditions and higher wages, staged a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their strike.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched at the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout did not yield the desired workplace improvements for its members.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the specific number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this strike is noted as the largest in the technology company’s history.
Samsung anticipates a substantial increase in second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year due to growth in artificial intelligence. The company has also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that workers are not receiving corresponding pay increases despite these record profits.
Many striking workers are involved in Samsung’s foundry operations, where they manufacture some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a challenging history with unions and lacks significant experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, noted that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could inspire the broader labor movement throughout South Korea.