Samsung Electronics labor unions are gearing up for a potential general strike in May, commencing a strike authorization vote this Monday. The move signals escalating tensions between labor and management over wage negotiations and bonus structures.
According to the unions’ joint struggle headquarters, the vote on whether to authorize industrial action will be held from Monday, March 11th, to March 18th. The aim is to secure the legal right to strike by the middle of March, paving the way for potential job actions.
Should more than 50% of union members vote in favor, the unions plan to organize a large-scale rally in April, bringing together members to demonstrate their resolve. This would then be followed by a general strike planned for May.
“Our goal is a general strike in May,” the group stated, emphasizing their intention to intensify pressure on Samsung Electronics management through increased participation in collective action.
The joint coalition was formed in early November of the previous year. It brought together three key unions: the Samsung Electronics branch of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union, the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union, and Samsung Electronics Union Together. The unions created a joint bargaining team with the aim of negotiating wages and working conditions with the tech giant.
However, after more than three months of negotiations, the two sides have been unable to bridge the gap on key issues. Specifically, the union’s demand to eliminate the cap on performance-based bonuses remains a major sticking point.
On February 19th, the unions declared a breakdown in negotiations and formally requested mediation from the National Labor Relations Commission.
The commission ceased mediation efforts during a second meeting held on March 3rd, officially clearing the path for the unions to initiate the process of securing the right to strike. Following this, the joint bargaining team was restructured into the current joint struggle headquarters, preparing for potential industrial action.
yeeun
