Samsung’s Union Tells Members to Return to Work as It Eyes Prolonging Strike

SEOUL — Samsung Electronics Co.'s labor union instructed its striking members Thursday to return to work by early next week, while stating that the strike will continue for the long term.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the largest labor union of the South Korean tech giant, the announcement was made on its YouTube channel. The union called on its 31,000 members to return to work immediately and by next Monday to transition the struggle to a "long-term plan."

"We need a transition of the struggle to reduce the economic burden of union members as we continue to pressure the management," the union stated on YouTube. The strike has entered a prolonged phase due to the breakdown of final negotiations. The union plans to stage blitz walkouts and compliance actions to ensure the success of ongoing efforts.

Negotiations with company management over wage hikes and other benefits remain deadlocked with no breakthrough in sight. The prolonged strike, now in its fourth week, has led to calls for an exit strategy to continue the struggle while minimizing financial burdens for workers. The union held a protest rally in front of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong's residence, urging Lee to engage in the strike to resolve the situation.

"It's time for Chairman Lee to come forward and clarify his position to resolve the general strike," the NSEU said at a press conference. The union and management held the latest round of wage talks for three days starting Monday but failed to reach an agreement. Lee, the chairman of the world's largest memory chipmaker, is currently attending the ongoing 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The NSEU, representing 31,000 workers, or about 24 percent of Samsung Electronics' 125,000-strong workforce, has been on a full-scale strike since July 8. The union is demanding a 5.6 percent basic pay raise for all members, a guaranteed day off on the union's founding day, and compensation for economic losses due to the strike. Samsung Electronics has offered a 5.1 percent wage increase, emphasizing its commitment to a win-win labor-management relationship.

At an earnings call the previous day, Samsung Electronics stressed that the ongoing strike has had little impact on the company's production and vowed to resolve the dispute as soon as possible.