Samsung Workers Stand Up: First Collective Action Takes Place

The National Samsung Electronics Labor Union (NSEL) held its first collective action on the afternoon of the 17th in front of the Samsung Electronics DSR Tower in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.

The organizers estimated that approximately 2,000 workers attended the event. The NSEL put on a nerve-wracking show with the company over the venue for its first collective action.

The NSEL originally planned to hold a rally in the indoor lobby of the DSR Tower, but the company refused to allow the indoor rally, claiming they did not receive approval to use the company’s facilities.

On the 8th of last month, the Samsung Electronics Labor Union secured the legal right to dispute after 74% of all union members voted in favor of the dispute.

Of the 27,458 union members, 28,530 participated in the vote, and 23,300, equivalent to 74% of all union members, voted in favor of the dispute. On the 1st of last month, Samsung Electronics also had a nerve-wracking experience when the NSEL violated the company’s facility management rights and disrupted business with force in the lobby of the DSR Tower.

During this process, Son Woo-Mok, the Chairman of the NSEL, was injured in a scuffle with the company.

The Vice Chairman of the NSEL said, “We ask that the union be fully respected as a member of Samsung Electronics.” The NSEL breaks down after conducting wage negotiation talks separately with the company and the labor-management council.

The union announced that it will hold its second collective action at the Samsung Seocho Office on the 24th of next month.

Meanwhile, the practice of working six days a week is spreading among executives of Samsung Group affiliates, including Samsung Electronics.

As the performance worsened last year, the sense of crisis heightened, and it appears that executives from all Samsung Group affiliates have stepped up their efforts.

Not only Samsung Electronics but also executives from affiliates such as Samsung SDI, Samsung Electric, and Samsung Display are participating in overcoming the crisis.

A Samsung official said, “Recently, Samsung Electronics executives have been working six days a week to overcome the crisis,” and added, “Other affiliates are also joining in this atmosphere.”