To attempt and get better wages, bonuses, and more benevolent leave policies, Samsung workers are staging protests.
The largest labor organization in South Korea has declared an indefinite strike. This was after a three-day walkout, which failed to get tech giant Samsung Electronics to engage in negotiations over the requests of the union.
Samsung Workers’ Announcement
With 31,000 members, the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) declared that it would participate in an extended strike. This was reportedly the biggest labor action in the firm’s existence. The number of NSEU members taking part was not stated in a statement released by the organization.
The NSEU’s members make up over 25% of the South Korean company’s workforce. Thus, a strike of this kind may be detrimental to the company’s productivity and output.
Samsung Workers Exit
This most recent statement from the NSEU comes after 6,000 employees staged a walkout from a Samsung semiconductor business. However, this was ineffective in resolving the continuing labor conflict with the corporation.
Originally planned to be a short-term walkout, the three-day strike began on Monday. Nevertheless, as the corporation has not responded, the stakes have increased.
The NSEU Declaration
The NSEU stated in their statement that they expect Samsung Electronics will be forced “to kneel down” and “regret” its choice to forgo negotiations as a result of this labor action.
“We are certain that we will win,” the union declared.
WATCH: Leaked Google Spreadsheet Shows Company’s Staff Salary
Samsung’s View
In reaction to the possibility of a strike, the corporation released a statement assuring the public that production will go on.
According to a Samsung statement, “Samsung Electronics will ensure no disruptions occur in the production lines.” “The business is still dedicated to holding sincere talks with the union.”
Put a Stop to Production
Additionally, Samsung claimed in its reaction that the threat of an indefinite strike won’t have an impact on its production lines, although it’s difficult to believe this will be the case.
Union head Son Woomok told CNN that it would take a long time to reopen facilities that were closed because of a walkout.
Ineffective Bargaining
There was no agreement reached during the rounds of talks that union members and Samsung Electronics representatives held earlier this year.
When the union called for a one-day walkout in June after negotiations over a transparent pay scale and improved working conditions broke down, the issue gained national attention.
POLL—Do You Support a Single-Payer Healthcare System (Medicare for All)?
What is the Samsung Workers’ issue?
Samsung faced criticism in 2020 for allegedly attempting to stifle its workers’ right to form labor unions.
At the time, Samsung CEO Lee Jae-yong apologized for a 2016 controversy at a press conference and made a vow to cease impeding unions.
Not Following Through
After making a brief remark acknowledging that the corporation had “at times” failed to obey the law and proper ethics, Lee bowed in contrition.
Though Samsung’s products and technologies are consistently hailed as superior, opinions about the company are still held in low regard. We are to blame for everything that has happened,” Lee stated in 2020. “To everyone who has been harmed by Samsung’s labor union issues, I sincerely apologize.”
Chip Production
Samsung is purportedly the biggest memory chip manufacturer in the world, having invested $228 billion in the largest chip plant globally last year.
The United States and other nations have been in a race recently to increase their capacity to produce chips. This is as the needs of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies have made them an essential global resource.
WATCH: Customers Condemn $21 Subway Sandwich Amid California Minimum Wage Hike
Hard Times for Samsung
In spite of its global dominance in the chip industry, Samsung has had financial difficulties recently. Due to disruptions in supply chains and production, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a global scarcity of computer chips from which there has been no recovery to date.
Samsung reported what was viewed as its worst financial report in almost ten years in January, with operating profit falling to its lowest point since 2009 and revenue declining by 14%.
Samsung Workers Serious
With Samsung employing an estimated 267,000 people, a minor walkout of a few thousand workers may not seem like much, but an unprecedented action like this should not be undervalued.
Whether or not employees can use their numbers to get long-awaited benefits enhancements and a 6.5% pay increase is still up in the air.
You Might Also Like:
Stephen King Sparks Outrage With Remarks About Trump Shooting
Beijing Is in Danger of Sinking
Trump Rally Ends in Chaos After Multiple Shots Went Off, Leaving Two Dead
New Study Reveals Gun Control Laws Do Not Reduce Homicide Rates Nationwide
Democratic Senators Accuse Justice Clarence Thomas of Accepting Foreign Bribes
