Samsung Electronics Union Declares 2nd Indefinite Strike... "No Willingness to Talk from Management"

First Indefinite General Strike in 55 Years Since Founding
Concerns Over Production Disruptions if Prolonged

The National Samsung Electronics Labor Union (Jeonsamno), which launched the first-ever general strike in Samsung Electronics' history, declared an indefinite general strike on the 10th.

Initially, Jeonsamno planned to conduct a first strike for three days starting from the 8th, followed by a second strike for five days from the 15th, but they revised the plan and began an indefinite strike from the 11th.

Jeonsamno stated, "After the first general strike, we confirmed that the management has no intention to engage in dialogue, so we declare a second indefinite general strike."

On the 8th, when the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union, Samsung Electronics' largest union, began a three-day general strike, union members were preparing for a mass rally in front of the main gate of the Samsung Electronics Hwaseong Plant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Yongjun Cho jun21@

Jeonsamno is demanding from management ▲ one day of union founding leave ▲ an average wage increase of 3.5% for all union members ▲ improvement of the performance bonus system ▲ compensation for economic losses caused by the strike.

They said, "We have confirmed clear production disruptions on the lines due to the first general strike, and management will regret this choice," emphasizing, "The longer the strike lasts, the more management will suffer, and eventually, they will kneel and come to the negotiating table."

They added, "Management is not engaging in dialogue and is obstructing the strike by putting department heads at the forefront," and "We will use all means, including legal measures, to punish them and will not stop until a proposal to offset the losses caused by the strike is presented."

They also encouraged Samsung Electronics employees to participate in the strike. Jeonsamno said, "Hesitation to participate in the strike only delays the outcome," and "Your decision is necessary to advance our goals and victory."

According to Jeonsamno, 6,540 people have expressed their intention to participate in the general strike, of which 5,211 are in semiconductor equipment, manufacturing, and development (process) positions.

With Jeonsamno entering an indefinite general strike, concerns about disruptions in the core semiconductor production are growing. Jeonsamno has openly stated, "The goal of the strike is production disruption."

However, management explained that no production disruptions have occurred so far and that the lines are operating normally.

Jeonsamno is the largest union within the company, currently with about 31,000 members. This accounts for approximately 24.8% of Samsung Electronics' total workforce of about 125,000 employees.