According to the union, management is unwilling to consider workers‘ requests, which include a 3.5% salary increase to match inflation. Samsung assured that the labour dispute will not impede production.
On Wednesday, a union representing workers at Samsung Electronics in South Korea said that it will continue to strike “indefinitely.”
The National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) has earlier announced a three-day strike. The labour dispute is the largest in the tech titan’s history.
It comes after the company forecasted a significant second-quarter operational decline.
So, what do we know about the strike?
The NSEU said it chose to extend the strike because management had not indicated a readiness to negotiate.
“(We) declare a second indefinite general strike from July 10, after learning that the management has no willingness to talk,” a press release from the NSEU said.It said it has updated its demands to include a 3.5% rise in basic wage and a day off to commemorate the union’s formation.
NSEU Vice President Lee Hyun-kuk Lee told the Reuters news agency that management had proposed a 3% hike, but the union felt its proposals better represented inflation.The NSEU has over 30,000 members, which represents roughly a quarter of Samsung’s South Korean workforce.
Over 5,000 Samsung employees have participated in the walkout, which began on Monday. The NSEU asked additional workers to join the labour action, even “those who are hesitant.”
“Your dedication is required to achieve our objectives and success. “Let us join forces to protect our rights and build a better future,” the union stated.
Samsung believes the strike would not harm production.
Samsung informed the AFP news agency that the union’s labour action will not impact production.
“Samsung Electronics will ensure that no disruptions occur in the production lines,” a Samsung representative stated.
“The company remains committed to engaging in good faith negotiations with the union.”
Meanwhile, Lee told Reuters that the union determined that the walkout had affected production on certain chip lines.
“Eventually, they will stoop and approach the negotiating table. “We are confident in our victory,” the union stated in a statement.
