Samsung Union Extends Strike, Threatening Global Tech Supplies

The National Samsung Electronics Union has announced an indefinite strike extension that can smash into the global supply lines of technology. The escalation came in after what was originally planned as a three-day walkout to pressure the management of Samsung into higher wages and better benefits.

The NSEU, which has approximately 30,000 members—some 23 percent of Samsung’s workforce in South Korea—launched their strike July 8. Organizers claimed that the initial actions had already halved production, an assertion dismissed by Samsung.

“Samsung Electronics will ensure no disruptions occur in the production lines,” a company spokesman told BBC News. “The company remains committed to engaging in good faith negotiations with the union.”

One of them will be held on the 10th in the city. The NSEU has claimed that the company has refused to hold any sort of dialogue even after the first general strike, due to which “we hereby declare a second general strike starting from July 10th, indefinitely during.”

The union asks for an increase in the basic salary by 3.5% and one more paid vacation day. This occurs at a time when Samsung’s performance is outstanding. Just last week, the company projected profits in the April-June 2024 quarter to surge 15-fold due to the global boom of Artificial Intelligence technology.

According to the NSEU, some 6,500 workers walked out during the first strike and urged more members to join an extended action. How far this could hit Samsung’s production capabilities — and the wider tech industry — will be seen as this strike plays itself out.