"Striking Will Lead to Regret": Hyundai-Kia Employees Speak Out... Uneasy Stares Toward Samsung Union

Labor and Management at an Impasse Over Performance-Based Bonus System
18-Day General Strike Planned from May 21
"Compromise Is Necessary," Says Alleged Hyundai Motor Employee
Fatigue Spreads Within Samsung
Sharp Division Between Calls for "Just Demands" and Criticism

As the Samsung Electronics labor union has announced a planned 18-day general strike starting May 21, demanding the institutionalization of a performance-based bonus system, debates over the strike are intensifying, particularly on anonymous online communities for office workers. In particular, alleged employees of Hyundai Motor and Kia who claim to have experienced past manufacturing strikes have fueled controversy by advising that "going as far as a strike ultimately only results in losses."

The Samsung Electronics labor-management's 2nd post-adjustment meeting at the Central Labor Relations Commission (CLRC) is scheduled on the 18th, with a view of the Samsung Electronics headquarters building in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

According to industry sources on May 18, Samsung Electronics management and labor will hold their second post-mediation meeting at the Central Labor Relations Commission in Sejong City on this day. As the decision on whether to proceed with the general strike could depend on the outcome of last-minute negotiations, industry players and investors are paying close attention. Currently, the union’s core demands are the removal of the cap on performance bonuses and the institutionalization of a performance-based bonus system linked to operating profit. Previously, the union demanded 15% of the Device Solutions (DS) division's operating profit to fund bonuses, but has recently mentioned the possibility of compromise, such as "13% of operating profit plus an OPI stock compensation plan." Management, however, is maintaining the existing over-achievement performance incentive (OPI) system proposed during the Central Labor Relations Commission’s mediation in March, which allows employees to choose either 10% of operating profit or 20% of Economic Value Added (EVA).

"Strike Is Not a Victory": Realistic Advice from Manufacturing Veterans

Meanwhile, posts related to the Samsung Electronics union's strike warning have been continuously uploaded on the anonymous office worker community "Blind." Among them, a user presumed to be a Hyundai Motor employee posted on the 17th under the title "An N-Year-Strike Participant's View on the Samsung Electronics Strike," arguing that "it is a structure that can only end in a perfect victory for the management."

On the anonymous artisan community platform Blind, posts related to the recent strike notice by the Samsung Electronics union have been continuously appearing. Among them, a user presumed to be a Hyundai Motor employee wrote on the 17th, titled "An n-year strike participant looking at the Samsung Electronics strike," claiming that "it is a structure that inevitably ends in a perfect victory for management." Blind

This user wrote, "Right now, some employees who have lost attachment to the company may be engaging in work slowdowns, but in reality, can 100% of employees really participate? It doesn't take long to realize that a work slowdown only hurts yourself." The post also stated, "The real winners are those who quickly realize that employees cannot defeat the company."

Another user, presumed to be a Kia employee, shared a similar opinion. "As someone who has gone through Hyundai-Kia union strikes for seven to eight years, I can say that, in the end, compromising to avoid a strike is a win-win," he wrote. He added, "Management has already prepared several scenarios in case a strike actually takes place," pointing out that "it is difficult for the union to win in the battle of public opinion."

Previously, the Hyundai Motor union held several strikes in the mid-2010s, causing production disruptions. However, they have since maintained a long period without labor disputes. Although there was a partial strike last year that broke this trend, observers note that the scale and impact of the 18-day general strike announced by the Samsung Electronics union are of a different magnitude.

Fatigue Within Samsung: "Are Performance Bonuses a Right?" Criticism Spreads

Even posts that appear to be from within Samsung Electronics reveal a critical attitude toward the union. On Blind, a user with their company listed as "Samsung Electronics" posted under the title "What the Samsung Unions Seriously Misunderstand," claiming, "The unions are mistaking their demands for justice." The user argued, "Wages are the compensation for labor, and performance bonuses are irregular rewards paid at the company's discretion. Demanding a share of the entire company’s profit just because there was strong performance is excessive." They also stated, "Going on strike for personal gain is ultimately no different from management’s logic of pursuing its own interests," expressing opposition to the union’s plan for a general strike.

On the 18th, when the second post-adjustment meeting of the Central Labor Relations Commission between Samsung Electronics labor and management was announced, employees were busily moving around the Samsung Electronics building in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

Comments on this post included, "Shareholders are frustrated," "Public opinion is being lost," and "The notion that performance bonuses are an inherent right is the problem." Some individual investors also expressed concern, saying, "If strike risk increases just as the semiconductor market is recovering, it could have a negative impact on the stock price and the company’s image."

However, there is also considerable opposition to these criticisms. Some netizens argue that "union activity is a right guaranteed by the constitution" and that "if the company’s performance has recovered, workers' contributions should be fairly recognized." Others commented, "It is natural to feel deprived when comparing with competitors like SK hynix," and "It is unreasonable to criticize calls for a more transparent bonus system outright."

Choi Seungho, Chairman of the Samsung Electronics Branch of the Super Large Enterprise Union, is seen answering questions from reporters after the hearing on Samsung Electronics' injunction request to prohibit illegal labor dispute actions filed against the union at the Suwon District Court in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In fact, the union claims that the core of the dissatisfaction surrounding performance bonuses lies not only in the "amount" but in the "lack of transparency in criteria." Their logic is that even if employees have contributed significantly to improved performance in the semiconductor division, unclear compensation standards can undermine trust among members. Management, on the other hand, argues that given the volatility of earnings in the semiconductor industry, permanently linking a fixed percentage of operating profit to bonuses can undermine management flexibility. Samsung Electronics is urging a resumption of dialogue, saying it has proposed flexible compensation measures, such as a special bonus system, while maintaining the existing OPI system.

Government Also Watching the Situation... Emergency Mediation Powers May Be Considered

The government is also closely monitoring the situation. There are concerns that if the strike materializes, the impact on semiconductor production, partner companies, exports, and the local economy could be significant, raising the possibility that the government could invoke emergency mediation powers. Emergency mediation is a system that allows the government to intervene in labor disputes that threaten to seriously harm the national economy.

Prime Minister Kim Minseok is delivering a national address regarding the Samsung Electronics strike at the Government Seoul Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News

The union has stated that if negotiations break down, they will begin a general strike from May 21 to June 7. However, as both management and labor are acutely aware of the potential impact of the strike, whether a last-minute compromise can be reached at the Central Labor Relations Commission’s post-mediation session on this day has become the key issue. The Samsung Electronics union’s announcement of a strike goes beyond a simple wage and bonus dispute and is evolving into a broader social debate over how major companies distribute performance and what standards are used to compensate workers. Online opinion is also divided between criticism that the demands are "excessive" and the argument that they represent a "just claim for fair compensation." As the deadline for the general strike approaches, the choices made by Samsung Electronics’ management and labor union are expected to become a major topic not only in the industry but also among office workers in general.

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