"Performance Bonus Dispute Leads to Strike"... Concerns Over Production Disruptions as Samsung Electronics Union Announces General Strike

If the General Strike Proceeds,

It Will Be the Second in the Company's History

The Samsung Electronics Labor Union Joint Struggle Headquarters has secured the right to strike with a 93.1% approval rate and has announced a general strike for May. This marks the second strike in the company's history, following the first in 2024.

Yonhap News Agency

The Joint Struggle Headquarters, which consists of the Samsung Electronics Branch of the Super Enterprise Union, the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union, and the Samsung Electronics Labor Union Donghaeng, announced on March 18 that a vote on whether to undertake industrial action was held among all union members starting March 9, and the motion passed with a 93.1% approval rate.

Out of a total of 89,874 registered union members, 66,019 participated in the vote, and 61,456 voted in favor.

The Joint Struggle Headquarters stated, "We accept the overwhelming result of this vote as a solemn mandate from our members. The vast majority of Samsung Electronics workers have clearly declared that the current management proposal does not align with the 'Talent First' management principle. This is a strong warning to management to take action to meet our demands."

For the 2026 wage negotiations, the union is demanding greater transparency in the performance bonus calculation criteria, the abolition of the upper limit for the Over-Performance Incentive (OPI), and a 7% wage increase. The Joint Struggle Headquarters plans to hold a rally on April 23, continuing its efforts to normalize performance bonuses and establish a fair compensation system until the planned general strike in May.

Previously, Samsung Electronics labor and management engaged in several rounds of wage negotiations this year, but failed to narrow their differences over the removal of the performance bonus cap. As a result, a vote on industrial action was held from March 9 until 2 p.m. on the day of the announcement. If the strike materializes, it will be Samsung Electronics' second strike since its founding in 1969, following the 25-day general strike in July 2024, after nearly two years.

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