Employees at Samsung have been demonstrating for improved working conditions and increased pay during a large rally in South Korea on Monday, as their strike against the tech giant continues into its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, which took place at the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. This gathering followed initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that occurred last Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU began an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not yield the desired workplace improvements. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this action marks the largest strike in the company’s history.
Samsung anticipates that its revenue for the second quarter will surge more than 1,450% year-on-year, largely attributed to a boom in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU asserts that employees have not seen corresponding pay increases despite these record profits.
Many workers involved in the strike are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they produce some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to unions and has limited experience in negotiating with its workforce. Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung’s workers succeed in their efforts, it could empower labor movements throughout South Korea.