Samsung Electronics Union Returns After 25 Days of General Strike: "Shift to Long-Term Plan"

Guerrilla-Style Strikes and Lawful Struggle Announced
Impact of Representative Negotiation Rights Ending on the 5th

The largest union at Samsung Electronics, which had conducted a total strike for 25 days, is returning to work. However, this does not mean the strike is ending; rather, they are shifting to a long-term strategy, planning to carry out surprise partial strikes (guerrilla strikes) and other dispute activities for wage negotiations after returning to work.

According to industry sources on the 2nd, the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union (hereinafter Jeonsamno) announced through a YouTube live broadcast the previous afternoon, "There is a need to reduce the economic burden on union members and shift to a struggle that continuously pressures management," and requested, "Please return to work from now until the 5th."

Previously, Jeonsamno entered a total strike on the 8th of last month and held discussions with management from the 29th to the 31st of last month regarding wage increases, vacation systems, and performance bonus payment methods but failed to reach an agreement.

After wage increase negotiations between Samsung Electronics management and the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union broke down, union members held a press conference on the morning of the 1st in front of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong's residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Jeonsamno stated, "It is now time to switch to a long-term plan," adding, "Since the strike struggle has entered a prolonged phase due to failed negotiations, we will proceed with sustainable guerrilla strikes and lawful struggles for the success of future struggles." They further said, "You may return to work starting today, but even if you go to work, if a guerrilla strike is carried out, you can leave work at that time."

This move is interpreted as a response to the increasing wage losses suffered by union members as the strike prolongs. For union members participating in the strike since the 8th of last month, based on the principle of no work, no pay, it is estimated that assistant manager-level employees have lost at least 4 million KRW, and manager-level employees have lost around 5 million KRW. Jeonsamno stated in the broadcast, "There is a need to reduce the economic burden on union members and shift to a struggle that continuously pressures management."

The fact that the representative bargaining rights expire on the 5th also appears to have influenced Jeonsamno's decision to end the strike. If Jeonsamno, which has held representative bargaining rights for one year, fails to reach an agreement by the 5th of this month, other unions may separately request negotiations with management. In such a case, Jeonsamno would lose its status as the representative bargaining union and would not be able to continue the dispute. Son Woo-mok, chairman of Jeonsamno, said, "We have received official letters from four unions, excluding the Donghaeng Union, stating they will not separately request negotiations with management."

Additionally, Jeonsamno presented a situational response manual that includes guerrilla strikes, guidelines for responding to digital recording media restoration, and recording and evidence-gathering struggles.

Jeonsamno also announced plans to merge with the No. 1 union, the Office Workers' Union. Currently, Samsung Electronics has a total of five unions, including Jeonsamno (the 4th union). Chairman Son emphasized, "Through absorption and integration with the No. 1 union, starting next Monday, Jeonsamno will become the No. 1 union," adding, "In terms of order and scale, Jeonsamno is now becoming the No. 1 union."

Jeonsamno plans to hold a press conference and rally at the National Assembly on the 5th to convey their opinions to the legislative branch.