Samsung Electronics Labor Negotiations Break Down, Union Rejects Flexible Scheme
Labor negotiations between Samsung Electronics and its union have broken down, with the union rejecting a flexible system based on business performance. The union plans an 18-day general strike starting May 21.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 10:37
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 11:01 (24 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 11:42 (40 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yang Qifang, Seoul, 13th) South Korea's Samsung Electronics today expressed regret over the breakdown of negotiations with its labor union, stating that the union refused to accept a flexible system based on business performance. The company will continue sincere dialogue to avoid the worst-case scenario. The union, however, plans an 18-day general strike from May 21 to June 7.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Samsung Electronics' labor and management underwent a two-day post-mediation process on the 11th and 12th under the arbitration of the Central Labor Relations Commission. However, the union announced early this morning after the second day's meeting, "We demanded the abolition of performance bonus caps, as well as transparency and institutionalization, but these demands were not accepted." Therefore, the union declared the mediation broken.
The union plans an 18-day general strike from the 21st until the 7th of next month, claiming that up to 50,000 people will participate. Although the union stated that there are no further negotiation plans with the company at present, it also emphasized, "If the company proposes a reasonable plan, we are still willing to listen."
Samsung Electronics today issued a statement saying, "The post-mediation, which the government painstakingly facilitated, regrettably failed due to the union's declaration of a breakdown." Samsung Electronics stated that the union's decision not only causes great concern and unease for the company but also for employees, shareholders, and the public awaiting the negotiation results, which is deeply regrettable.
Samsung Electronics pointed out that the government assisted in negotiations based on various alternative proposals from both labor and management, but the union refused to accept a flexible system based on business performance, consistently insisting on rigid institutionalization demands. "The company will continue sincere dialogue to avoid the worst-case scenario, and we thank the government and relevant parties for their efforts in the mediation." (Editor: Zhang Zhixuan) 1150513
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(Central News Agency reporter Yang Qifang, Seoul, 13th) South Korea's Samsung Electronics today expressed regret over the breakdown of negotiations with its labor union, stating that the union refused to accept a flexible system based on business performance. The company will continue sincere dialogue to avoid the worst-case scenario. The union, however, plans an 18-day general strike from May 21 to June 7.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Samsung Electronics' labor and management underwent a two-day post-mediation process on the 11th and 12th under the arbitration of the Central Labor Relations Commission. However, the union announced early this morning after the second day's meeting, "We demanded the abolition of performance bonus caps, as well as transparency and institutionalization, but these demands were not accepted." Therefore, the union declared the mediation broken.
The union plans an 18-day general strike from the 21st until the 7th of next month, claiming that up to 50,000 people will participate. Although the union stated that there are no further negotiation plans with the company at present, it also emphasized, "If the company proposes a reasonable plan, we are still willing to listen."
Samsung Electronics today issued a statement saying, "The post-mediation, which the government painstakingly facilitated, regrettably failed due to the union's declaration of a breakdown." Samsung Electronics stated that the union's decision not only causes great concern and unease for the company but also for employees, shareholders, and the public awaiting the negotiation results, which is deeply regrettable.
Samsung Electronics pointed out that the government assisted in negotiations based on various alternative proposals from both labor and management, but the union refused to accept a flexible system based on business performance, consistently insisting on rigid institutionalization demands. "The company will continue sincere dialogue to avoid the worst-case scenario, and we thank the government and relevant parties for their efforts in the mediation." (Editor: Zhang Zhixuan) 1150513
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.