Workers at Samsung Electronics in South Korea have extended a three-day strike indefinitely in a bid to force management to negotiate.

A union representing tens of thousands of Samsung workers, the National Samsung Electronics Union, made the declaration in a statement on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

The strike is the biggest labour action in the tech giant’s history and steps up pressure on the chipmaker’s management, who last week predicted a huge second-quarter operating profit increase.

“We declare a second indefinite general strike from July 10, after learning that the management has no willingness to talk,” the union said.

More than 5,000 members stopped working on Monday for what was meant to be a three-day strike, part of a long-running battle over pay and benefits.

The move followed a one-day walkout in June, the first such collective action at the company, which went decades without unionisation.

Samsung workers begin strike over pay

The union has more than 30,000 members – more than a fifth of the company’s total workforce.

Samsung, on Wednesday, said the strike would not affect production.

“Samsung Electronics will ensure no disruptions occur in the production lines. The company remains committed to engaging in good faith negotiations with the union,” a spokesperson told AFP.

But the union said it had confirmed “clear disruption in production”, adding that the longer the strike went on “the more the management will suffer”.

“Eventually, they will kneel and come to the negotiation table. We are confident of victory,” it added in a statement.

The union blamed Samsung management for “obstructing” the strike, saying they did not appear willing to engage in dialogue.

It urged more workers to participate, including “those who are still hesitant”.

“Your determination is needed to advance our goals and victory. Let us unite our strength to protect our rights and create a better future,” the union said.

The union has been locked in negotiations with management since January, but the two sides have failed to narrow differences.

Workers have rejected the offer of a 5.1 percent pay hike, with the union having previously outlined demands including improvements to annual leave and transparent performance-based bonuses.

The Star