Samsung Faces Major Strike Threat as Workers Demand 15% Profit Share

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On April 23, at Samsung Electronics’ Pyeongtaek plant, the “Samsung Electronics Trans‑Company Union” held a rally and vowed to escalate its campaign. The union is demanding performance bonuses equal to 15% of operating profit and the removal of the bonus cap, and it has threatened a full strike beginning May 21 if management and labor cannot reach an agreement. Such a strike could cause significant production disruptions. Is Samsung Electronics’ profit a prize reserved solely for its employees? Minister Kim Jeong‑gwan directly criticized the union, while President Lee Jae‑myung offered a more oblique rebuke. President Lee (April 30) said, “If they make excessive, unfair demands to benefit only themselves and draw public condemnation, they will harm not only that union but also other workers.” With labor‑management talks at an impasse, friction between unions has spread. Unions outside the semiconductor division have formally announced they will not join joint action in response to bonus demands focused on the semiconductor sector. With about 15 days remaining until the planned strike, the chairman of Samsung Electronics’ board intervened, warning that both labor and management risk losing credibility and that the national economy could suffer serious damage. Shareholders have voiced opposition to the union and threatened legal action: “If there’s a strike, we will sue the entire union for damages,” they said. Min Kyung‑kwon, head of the Korea Shareholders’ Movement (on the 23rd), warned, “Stopping and restarting a semiconductor plant entails astronomical costs and time. That would directly damage Samsung Electronics—and, more precisely, shareholders’ assets.” Supporters argue that, after record profits, workers deserve a fair share; critics counter that the campaign looks self‑serving and neglects solidarity and the public interest. #SamsungElectronics #Samsung #union #semiconductors #nonSemiconductors #strike #protest #rally #gathering #LeeJaeMyung #KimJeongGwan #LeeJaeYong #board #ShareholdersMovement #shareholders #ShinJeYoon #SsinsokNews #YonhapNewsTV Yonhap News TV — story tips and inquiries: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23, An Hye‑jeong (anejeong@yna.co.kr)