Unionized workers at Samsung Electronics are preparing to vote on whether to initiate a strike later this week. The company’s three largest unions, representing around 89,000 employees out of 130,000, will conduct the vote from Monday through March 18. The proposed general strike would last for 18 days from May 21 to June 7.
Amidst the preparations, there has been controversy as union leaders have reportedly pressured members to join the strike by warning of consequences for non-participation. Choi Seong-ho, the chairman of the Samsung Electronics Labor Union, mentioned plans to keep a record of members who continue working during the strike and potentially subject them to measures like forced transfers or dismissal.
This potential strike would be the second in Samsung Electronics’ history, with the first one occurring in 2024 over wage demands. In a separate development, President Lee Jae Myung is scheduled to meet with officials from major conglomerates and small and medium-sized enterprises this week. The meeting aims to explore ways to foster a mutually beneficial business model between large corporations and SMEs.
