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(Photo= Yonhap news) |
[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] On the 16th day of the strike, Samsung Electronics' labor union and management resumed wage negotiations but failed to reach an agreement. The ninth round of wage negotiations took place on the 23rd at the Samsung Electronics Giheung Campus Nanopark, the first formal talks in two months since the eighth round on May 28.
The negotiations, which began at 9 AM and lasted until 5:30 PM, were significant as it was the first dialogue since the total strike began. However, the two sides remained far apart on key issues.
The union is steadfast in its demands for a 5.6% increase for all members (3.5% base pay and 2.1% performance-based pay), improvements to the performance bonus system (switching from EVA to operating profit), and compensation for union members who participated in the strike. Conversely, the management maintains its position of a 5.1% increase (3% base pay and 2.1% performance-based pay) as decided by the labor-management council.
With no resolution reached, the union plans to continue its strike and has proposed intensive negotiations with the management from July 29 to 31.
The nationwide strike, which began on July 8 with a three-day total strike, transitioned to an indefinite strike on July 11. Currently, the union has around 35,000 members, making up about 27% of Samsung Electronics' domestic workforce. The union claims that the strike is causing production disruptions in some lines, such as the 8-inch foundry, while the management insists that factory automation has prevented any production issues.
AlphaBIZ Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
