Samsung Electronics union extends ongoing strike 'indefinitely'

Industry

Published: 10 Jul. 2024, 10:24 Updated: 10 Jul. 2024, 17:27

Samsung Electronics union extends ongoing strike 'indefinitely'

National Samsung Electronics Union hold a rally on Monday in front of the company's HWaseong manufacturing facilities in Gyeonggi. [NEWS1]

Samsung Electronics' unionized workers said Wednesday they will extend their ongoing strike "indefinitely," potentially disrupting production at the world's major chip production hub.

"We declare a second round of strikes for an indefinite period as we have confirmed that management doesn't have the will to talk with us after the first round," the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) said in a statement Wednesday.

"We confirmed that production of chips was disrupted during the first round of strikes and the management will regret this."

NSEU, the biggest labor union at Samsung Electronics representing some 24 percent of the entire workforce, went on a three-day strike starting Monday due to a dispute over pay. It said it will extend the strike if no substantial agreement is made during the first round.

The union said some 5,200 members related to the chip production process, such as those working on equipment or in maintenance, participated in the first round of strike.

The two sides are at odds over the size of a planned pay raise, with the union refusing to accept the company's suggestion of a 5.1 percent raise.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]