Employees of Samsung held a large rally in South Korea on Monday as they continue their strike for improved working conditions and higher pay, marking the third week of their action. Approximately 1,200 workers from the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally by marching along the Giheung campus in Yongin.
This event followed initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday. The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not result in the desired workplace improvements.
While the union claims to represent over 30,000 employees, the exact number of those currently striking remains unclear. Nonetheless, the ongoing strike is the largest in the history of Samsung Electronics.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a year-over-year rise of more than 1,450% attributed to a boom in artificial intelligence. The company has also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first three months of 2024. Despite these record financial results, the NSEU contends that workers have not experienced corresponding pay increases.
A significant portion of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they manufacture some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Experts have noted that Samsung has a history of being resistant to unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, remarked that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could bolster labor movements throughout South Korea.