Samsung Electronics Holds First Meeting with Union Joint Negotiation Team... Collective Bargaining Begins (Comprehensive)

Final Steps to End 51 Years of Union-Free Management

Kim Man-jae (left), chief negotiator of the Samsung Electronics Labor Union Joint Negotiation Team, and Na Ki-hong, Vice President and Head of the Human Resources Planning Group at Samsung Electronics Management Support Office, are exchanging greetings at the collective bargaining introductory meeting held on the morning of the 3rd at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions conference room in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] As Samsung Electronics' labor and management began their first collective bargaining (wage and labor agreement) negotiations on the 3rd, Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's "New Samsung," centered on the abolition of "no-union management," is gaining momentum. If a collective agreement applicable to all Samsung Electronics business sites is concluded through these negotiations, the "no-union management" that has continued since Samsung Electronics' founding 51 years ago will effectively come to an end.

According to the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), the Samsung Electronics Joint Labor Negotiation Team, composed of four Samsung Electronics unions, and the FKTU's National Metal Workers' Union Federation (Metal Federation) began their first formal collective bargaining and introductory meeting with management at 10 a.m. at the FKTU's main conference room in Yeouido, Seoul. At the introductory meeting, management was represented by Vice President Na Ki-hong, Head of the Human Resources Team in the Management Support Office, and Executive Director Choi Wan-woo, Head of the HR Planning Group in the DS Division. On the union side, Kim Man-jae, Chairman of the Metal Federation, Kim Hae-kwang, Senior Vice Chairman of the Metal Federation, and members of the joint negotiation team attended. After the introductory meeting, labor and management will discuss detailed matters to guarantee union activities, such as the union's exclusive full-time positions.

In his opening remarks, Vice President Na said, "This negotiation is a very important and meaningful time to create a new labor-management relationship at Samsung Electronics," adding, "I hope both labor and management recognize the importance as partners and build a labor-management relationship based on coexistence and cooperation." He also promised that management would sincerely engage in these negotiations.

In his remarks, Chairman Kim said, "On behalf of 150,000 union members of the Metal Federation, I pray for the repose of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee and hope Samsung will become a company loved by the people by joining forces with its workers." He also mentioned Samsung Electronics' recent goal of becoming a top-tier 100-year company. He emphasized, "We must not forget that Samsung Electronics' remarkable growth in its relatively short history was made possible by the tears and dedication of countless workers," and urged, "Respecting workers and recognizing union activities is the first step toward becoming a top-tier 100-year company."

This labor-management collective bargaining is the first negotiation jointly attended by Samsung Electronics' Unions 1 through 4. Samsung Electronics is composed of the Samsung Electronics Office Workers' Union (Union 1), which has no higher-level organization; the Samsung Electronics Gumi Branch Union (Union 2); the Samsung Electronics Union (Union 3); and the National Samsung Electronics Union (Union 4) under the FKTU Metal Federation. Although individual unions have previously conducted collective bargaining with management, they have not reached a collective agreement.

It usually takes several months or more to conclude a collective agreement, but if one is reached, it will be the first in Samsung Electronics' 51-year history. Earlier, in May, Vice Chairman Lee promised, "I will ensure that the term 'no-union management' will no longer be used." Subsequently, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, a Samsung financial affiliate, signed its first collective agreement in August after 68 years since its founding. Samsung Display, an electronics affiliate, began collective bargaining in May, and Samsung SDI's Ulsan union has been negotiating since September.

Considering that it took less than two months from the launch of the joint negotiation team to the start of collective bargaining at Samsung Electronics, following preliminary negotiations, it is observed that management is quickly embracing the establishment of union culture as promised by Vice Chairman Lee. A representative from the Samsung Electronics union stated, "Although there were some differences in views between labor and management regarding the provision of separate union offices and temporary exclusive full-time positions for negotiation participants during two preliminary negotiations last month, I understand that the discussions concluded with maximum guarantees."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.