A unified labor union encompassing four Samsung affiliates is poised for its official launch. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – A unified labor union encompassing four Samsung affiliates is poised for its official launch, signaling a significant development in the conglomerate’s labor relations.
The integrated union held its first general assembly on January 31, marking an internal launch with the revision of regulations. The participating unions include employees from Samsung Electronics DX (Device eXperience), Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Samsung Display, and Samsung Biologics.
The Samsung Electro-Mechanics Union, which recently launched, has also expressed interest in joining this new conglomerate-wide union, indicating a potential expansion.
The unified union is scheduled to officially commence its activities in February, following a series of votes and consultations among the member unions that began last year.
The approval rates for joining the unified union were notably high across the affiliates, with Samsung Biologics at 99.5%, Samsung Display at 96.12%, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance at 90%, and Samsung Electronics DX at 86%.
While coalitions among Samsung’s 12 affiliate unions have previously advocated for wage increases and retirement age extensions, the establishment of a unified union represents a first.
Upon the launch, individual affiliate unions will become branches of the unified union, with their chairpersons serving as branch heads.
The total membership across the participating unions amounts to approximately 13,000, closely matching the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union (KSEU), the largest among Samsung’s affiliate unions, which boasts around 14,000 members.
In related news, the KSEU recently entered wage negotiations with Samsung, requesting a 200% bonus payment from Samsung Electronics Device Solution (DS) Division Head, Kyung Kye-hyun.
However, the company has stated there are no current plans for such payments, citing performance challenges in the semiconductor sector that led to a 0% Over Profit Incentive (OPI) payout rate last year and a Target Achievement Incentive (TAI) reduced to an average of 12.5% from 25% in the previous quarter.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
