Samsung unions vote to strike in May over stalled wage talks

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Published: 18 Mar. 2026, 15:14 Updated: 18 Mar. 2026, 15:55

LIM JEONG-WON
[email protected]

Samsung Electronics' building in Seocho District, southern Seoul is seen on Jan. 29. [NEWS1]

Unionized workers of Samsung Electronics will launch a general strike this May, the first in two years, an organized labor coalition announced on Wednesday.

A joint strike headquarters of three unions — the Samsung Electronics chapter of the Samsung Group United Union, the conglomerate’s cross-affiliate union; the National Samsung Electronics Union; and the Samsung Electronics Labor Union — voted to strike with 93.1 percent in favor, the headquarters announced Wednesday.

The vote began on March 9. Of the approximately 90,000 registered members of the three unions, 66,019 participated in the vote, recording a turnout of 73.5 percent, with 61,456 voting in favor.

Workers are moving toward a strike after this year’s wage negotiations broke down, with disputes centered on pay raises, the company’s bonus structure and its profit-sharing system.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [[email protected]]