Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages staged a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their 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, South Korea, as reported by the Associated Press.
This rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions held on Friday between the union and Samsung, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout did not yield the workplace improvements its members are advocating for.
While the union represents over 30,000 staff members, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this strike is noted as the largest in the technology giant’s history.
Samsung projects a more than 1,450% increase in its second-quarter revenue compared to last year, driven by a surge in AI-related business. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen commensurate raises despite the company’s record financial performance.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where some of the world’s most advanced computer chips are manufactured.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a contentious relationship with unions and lacks experience in worker negotiations.
“If Samsung workers succeed in this endeavor, it will inspire and empower labor movements across South Korea,” noted Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.