Employees at Samsung held a large rally in South Korea on Monday, continuing their strike for improved working conditions and higher wages as their action enters its third week. Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched at the Giheung campus in Yongin, according to reports.
This rally coincided with initial wage negotiation discussions that took place between the union and Samsung on Friday. The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout did not lead to the desired workplace improvements.
While the union comprises over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. However, this ongoing strike marks the largest in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a more than 1,450% increase in its second-quarter revenue year-over-year, largely attributed to the surge in artificial intelligence technologies. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. Despite these significant financial gains, NSEU representatives claim that workers have not seen any corresponding rise in their pay.
The striking workers primarily operate in Samsung’s foundry, which manufactures some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly towards unions and lacks substantial experience in negotiations with its workforce.
According to Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, if Samsung workers are successful in their efforts, it could provide a boost to labor movements across South Korea.