Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages 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, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press.
The rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions held between the union and Samsung on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements its members sought.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this current strike is the largest in the technology giant’s history.
Samsung anticipates a substantial increase in second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year, largely driven by the AI sector. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen corresponding pay increases despite the significant profits.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where some of the world’s most advanced computer chips are manufactured.
Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly towards unions and lacks extensive experience in negotiating with its workforce.
“A successful outcome for Samsung workers could strengthen labor movements across South Korea,” said Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.