An influential Samsung Electronics workers union on Thursday warned that its members could walk out over a wage dispute in what could be the South Korean tech giant’s first strike in its history.
Tension over wage negotiations
The National Samsung Electronics Union, which says it represents around 10,000 staff, or around 9% of employees, claims that Samsung management has cut the union out of wage negotiations.
The NSEU staged a press conference outside one of Samsung’s buildings in Seoul and demanded the tech giant’s Chairman Lee Jae-yong join the discussions.
Lee Hyun-kuk, a representative of the union, said it would go on strike after a consultation with its members but said it depends on the “attitude” of Samsung Chair Lee, according to local media reports that were posted on the union’s website.
“It depends on the attitude of chairman Lee Jae-yong. We sincerely ask him to come to the table for talks,” the NSEU’s Lee said, according to Bloomberg.
Potential first strike in company’s history
The union is asking for a 6% wage increase for workers. Samsung management said last month it would increase wages by around 4%, according to the union.
Samsung was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.
If the walkout goes ahead, it would be the first strike since the founding of Samsung Electronics in 1969. Samsung Electronics encompasses Samsung’s consumer hardware, semiconductor, display and mobile carrier businesses.
Tension with workers comes at a sensitive time for the world’s biggest smartphone and memory chip maker, after its operating profit in the first quarter plunged to its lowest level since 2009.
» Read More
