Employees at Samsung are continuing their strike for improved working conditions and higher wages, with a large rally taking place in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their protest.
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 action follows initial wage negotiation talks between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU workers initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements they were seeking.
While the union claims to represent over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike is unclear. However, this current strike is noted as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite a projected revenue increase of more than 1,450% year-over-year for the second quarter, attributed to a surge in AI technology, and a reported tenfold increase in profits for the first three months of 2024, the union argues that workers have not seen corresponding wage increases.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundries, which are known for producing some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts point out that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.