Labor union and management at **Samsung Electronics** concluded their government-led mediation talks early Wednesday without resolving their significant dispute over **performance-based bonuses**. The failure marks the second and final day of discussions, escalating concerns that the union may proceed with a large-scale **general strike** later this month.
These crucial talks, considered a last-ditch effort to avert the looming **general strike**, commenced at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the National Labor Relations Commission in the administrative hub of **Sejong**. Despite almost 17 hours of intensive **negotiations**, both parties failed to reach a crucial consensus on the **wage agreement**.
“The differences between the **Samsung labor union** and management did not narrow. We requested mediation and waited for nearly 12 hours, but the proposal only worsened,” stated Choi Seung-ho, the head of **Samsung Electronics’ largest labor union**, to reporters following the meeting. He confirmed the union’s declaration that the **mediation talks** have completely fallen through.
The **Samsung labor union** has put forward several key demands, including **performance-based bonuses** equivalent to 15 percent of operating profit. Additionally, they seek the removal of the current payout cap and the formal institutionalization of the entire bonus system. The union had previously announced its intention to stage a **general strike** beginning May 21 if its **demands** remained unmet.
Choi further elaborated that approximately 41,000 **unionized workers** have already expressed their readiness to participate in the **general strike**, with projections indicating this number could potentially exceed 50,000.
“It is meaningless to wait any longer,” Choi affirmed. “We do not plan to hold an illegal strike. We will proceed in a legitimate way to advance our interests.”
