12 July, 2024The National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) in South Korea has mobilized 6,000 members to join the first strike in the 55-year history of Samsung Electronics at the company’s semiconductor facility in Hwaseong. The strike was called over failed collective bargaining negotiations and union busting.
The collective bargaining between NSEU and Samsung Electronics reached a deadlock earlier this month as the company refused to agree to the majority of the union’s demands. The demands include 3.5 per cent of base rate increase, paid leave for the date of union establishment, and compensation for loss of wages during the strike.
Ignoring all the union’s strike demands, Samsung Electronics unilaterally set a 3.0 per cent base rate increase with some workers. Plant managers have been intimidating striking workers, saying they would be disadvantaged.
NSEU, affiliated to the Federation of Korean Metalworkers' Trade Unions (FKMTU), has 30,000 members at Samsung Electronics, roughly 24 per cent of the total workforce and is recognized as the representative bargaining union. In response to the uncompromising attitude and union busting, NSEU announced an indefinite strike, urging all members to continue the struggle until its victory.
FKMTU president KIM Junyoung says:
"At Samsung, significant changes are stirring. Five years after the collapse of its no-union management policy, union members are beginning to make their presence felt. Although the struggle is still in its early stages, it signifies the practical collapse of Samsung's no-union management. Solidarity and support are essential at this moment. We will fight together until the end of this struggle."
IndustriALL ICT, electrical and electronics director Alexander Ivanou says :
“IndustriALL supports the NSEU members in their fight for decent working conditions at Samsung Electronics. The company’s operating profit was KRW 6.57 trillion (US$ 4.79 billion) in 2023; it has a moral obligation to share profits with their workers who create revenue and value for the company. We call on Samsung Electronics to return to the negotiation table and engage in genuine social dialogue with NSEU and FKMTU.”