Unionized workers at Samsung Biologics have voted to exit a labor coalition that represents employees across Samsung affiliates. The decision to restructure the union and depart from the Samsung Group United Union was approved after a five-day voting process, with a significant majority in favor of the move. Out of 4,005 eligible voters, 2,479 participated, and an overwhelming 96.5 percent supported the decision, as confirmed by the Samsung Biologics labor union.
The union expressed the necessity of establishing an independent labor union to better address the interests and demands of its members promptly. Workers from Samsung Group’s bio arm have been engaged in a work-to-rule campaign seeking salary increments and enhanced working conditions since the beginning of last month. Following a partial strike in late April and a subsequent five-day walkout involving around 2,800 members in early May, the union is now preparing for negotiations with the management in the upcoming week.
This development within Samsung Biologics’ unionized workforce occurs amidst internal discord within the broader labor union of the Samsung Group, triggered by a wage agreement that heavily favored bonuses for the semiconductor division. The umbrella union, established in February 2024, encompassed employees from Samsung Display Co., Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., and Samsung Electronics Co. However, recent data suggests a decline in its majority status, with members, particularly from non-chip sectors, opting to discontinue their affiliation.
