Samsung Electronics faces potential disruption as its unionized workforce prepares for a strike amidst unresolved wage disputes. The workers’ union is mobilizing for action as sharing the management’s position on pay increase has reached an impasse stage during the negotiations.
Although Samsung has maintained a strike-free history since its establishment in 1969, the current impasse poses a significant challenge. On the preceding, the company made a new salary suggestion for this year – 5.1 percent rise in average pay, which was not enough and declined by the union.
The labor union, advocating for a 6.5 percent wage hike along with an additional paid day off, refused to settle for the offered terms. Negotiations between Samsung and the confederation were interrupted in February which is likely to delay the deal.
In a recent vote held from March 18 to the previous Friday, 20,853 out of 27,458 union members participated. From the initial vote, the result seemed that there is definitely support for the strike among BTCUC official members, 75 percent (20,330) members had voted to be on strike.
This decisive mandate grants the union legal authorization to initiate a strike if a 10-day mediation period, stipulated by law, fails to resolve the dispute. Although the issue was partially resolved, more protests and even labor unrest may occur in Samsung unless quick action is taken to settle everything amicably.
