Samsung Electronics' largest workers' union in South Korea announced on Tuesday that it will commence a four-day strike starting Thursday to exert pressure on the company regarding increased wages and bonuses, following the collapse of negotiations with management in July.
Lee Hyun-kuk, the vice-president of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU), stated during a live YouTube broadcast: "This strike is strategically planned to harm the company." He mentioned that the union, which represents about 30% of Samsung Electronics' South Korean workforce with its 36,500 members, anticipates that the company will lack sufficient backup office workers to maintain production lines during the planned strike, as many workers will be absent due to a national holiday on Thursday.
Samsung responded with a statement: "The company intends to ensure uninterrupted production and adheres to the principle of no work, no pay, while we make efforts to restart negotiations with the union." The union had previously declared an indefinite strike in July but called members back to work in early August after failed negotiations with management. The union plans to continue demanding improved pay and benefits from the tech giant through unexpected strike actions. Samsung Electronics confirmed in late July that the strikes held that month did not affect production.
