Samsung Display Officially Launches Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Chapter: "We Will Protect Union Members"

At the Samsung Display Labor Union launch press conference held on the 20th at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions conference room in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, co-chairpersons Kim Jeong-ran and Lee Chang-wan shouted slogans after reading the launch declaration. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Samsung Display Labor Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions declared at its inauguration ceremony held on the 20th, "The labor union will take the lead in protecting its members and ensuring they receive fair compensation for their labor."

Among Samsung Group's major companies, the establishment of a labor union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions at Samsung Display is the third, following Samsung Electronics and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance.

The Samsung Display Labor Union held its inauguration declaration press conference at 10 a.m. on the same day at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Hall in Yeouido, Seoul.

The Samsung Display Labor Union pointed out, "Over the past several years, under the management's unilateral decisions and lack of communication, we have not been guaranteed the constitutional rights of freedom of association, collective bargaining, and collective action."

They added, "We have also been unable to enjoy fair compensation for our labor and have suffered from unfair personnel transfers, retirement recommendations tantamount to dismissal, and arbitrary changes to regulations occurring in various places."

Regarding criticisms that the union was formed because of the performance bonus called 'OPI,' the union rebutted, "We did not establish the union simply to receive a few extra performance bonuses." They added, "We were founded to overcome the long-standing harms caused by lack of communication, unilateral management, and unfair personnel transfers, and to exercise the three labor rights guaranteed by the constitution."

The union emphasized, "We will create a labor-management relationship suitable for the group's management style and the current era's environment," and "We will strive to become a changed Samsung Display, a top-tier company fulfilling its social responsibilities."

The Samsung Display Labor Union is a union under the Korean Metal Workers' Federation of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and its establishment certificate was issued on the 19th. Accordingly, it has become a union that can exercise rights under the Labor Union Act, including collective bargaining.