Samsung Electronics CEOs Urge Staff to Avoid Loss of Competitiveness Ahead of Union Strike

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun and President Roh Tae-moon, the company’s co-CEOs, issued a formal message to employees as the labor union prepares for a general strike.

Samsung Electronics said the two CEOs posted the statement on the company intranet on the 7th, outlining the status of wage talks. They said the company has negotiated with the union since last December and has presented alternatives after considering employee interests, the company’s future competitiveness and business conditions, while seeking to broaden mutual understanding through dialogue.

They said they regretted that the sides have not yet reached a final agreement and acknowledged that prolonged negotiations have likely left many employees concerned and frustrated.

The CEOs also urged staff to help prevent damage to the company’s future competitiveness. “In a severe global business environment, all management, including myself, will approach this with a responsible attitude so we do not lose future competitiveness,” they wrote, asking employees to do their best in their respective roles.

They added that the company would continue discussions with an open attitude and work toward an outcome employees can support.

Samsung and the union have negotiated since last December over 2026 wages, but talks were suspended after failing to narrow differences over performance-bonus standards. The union plans to begin an 18-day general strike starting on the 21st.

With the strike about 14 days away, concerns have grown that the dispute could spill into a broader economic issue. If a strike occurs, Samsung’s losses are estimated at about 30 trillion won.

Samsung Electronics board chairman Shin Je-yoon wrote on the company intranet on the 5th that a strike would hurt the company’s business competitiveness, erode customer trust and cause losses for shareholders and investors, with serious negative effects on the national economy. He said it could reduce exports by tens of billions of dollars and cut tax revenue by tens of trillions of won, while triggering a weaker currency and lowering GDP.