Employees of Samsung are continuing their strike for improved working conditions and higher wages, holding a large rally in South Korea on Monday. This demonstration marks 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, as reported by the Associated Press. This rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions that took place on Friday between the union and Samsung, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after earlier labor actions did not achieve the desired workplace improvements. While the union claims to represent over 30,000 workers, it is uncertain how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this current strike is noted to be the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite Samsung’s projections of a staggering 1,450% year-over-year increase in second-quarter revenue, largely attributed to a surge in artificial intelligence, union representatives argue that these financial successes have not translated into pay raises for employees. The company announced a tenfold profit increase for the first quarter of 2024.
Many of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s semiconductor foundry, where they manufacture some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Experts suggest that Samsung has been resistant to unionization and lacks experience in negotiating with their workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, indicated that if the Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could strengthen the labor movement across South Korea.