As negotiations between Samsung Electronics and its labor union intensify, some employees have sparked controversy by suggesting they would leave for a Chinese semiconductor company to leak technology.
According to industry sources, a post titled "Samsung Internal Opinion" appeared on the anonymous workplace community Blind on May 17. The author wrote, "If negotiations fail, everyone will move to CXMT and leak technology." CXMT is the largest DRAM manufacturer in China, Changxin Memory Technologies.
Critics argue that the potential for technology leaks is a serious issue that directly impacts the nation’s key industries, making such comments inappropriate during wage and performance bonus negotiations. Notably, there have been past incidents where former Samsung employees faced legal action for leaking technology to Chinese firms, making these remarks difficult to dismiss as mere provocations.
Another employee reportedly stated that if the government invokes emergency mediation powers, they would respond with mass resignations, similar to doctors during strikes. This has raised concerns that such extreme statements from some employees could exacerbate tensions between labor and management as the government and the Central Labor Relations Commission seek to prevent the strike from spreading.
Meanwhile, the largest union at Samsung Electronics, the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union, is demanding the elimination of performance bonus caps and the allocation of 15% of operating profit for performance bonuses. Industry observers believe that the controversial remarks from some union members could undermine the union's negotiating position and negatively affect public sentiment regarding the strike.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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