Choi Seung-ho, chairman of the Samsung Electronics Inter-Company Labor Union, is facing criticism for failing to take responsibility following the recent wage negotiation agreement. Concerns have been raised that he is attributing internal dissatisfaction with the agreement to "government pressure" while avoiding resolution of conflicts with the DX division.
On June 4, industry sources reported that Choi stated in a recent internal message, "If there is a strike, the government will intervene within 30 minutes, and adjustments reflecting operating profits will be impossible." This suggests that the potential for urgent government intervention influenced the union's decision to accept the provisional wage agreement for 2026.
Regarding the postponement of performance bonuses for loss-making divisions, Choi noted, "We provisionally agreed that a one-year delay is the bottom line for the Joint Action Headquarters." He added, "I would like to provide more explanation about the provisional agreement, but I was asked if this could be done within a day."
This explanation appears to be a response to internal backlash against the agreement. While a special performance bonus linked to operating profits was established for the DS division, limited compensation was applied to the DX division and some other organizations, leading to increased dissatisfaction within the union. Choi cited potential government intervention and the judgment of the Joint Action Headquarters as reasons for not pushing for stronger demands.
However, Choi's use of the term "government intervention" suggests that he was indicating the possibility of the government stopping a strike through urgent mediation, which could lead to arbitration by the Central Labor Relations Commission. Although the mandatory mediation system previously applied uniformly to essential public services has been abolished, the current law still allows for arbitration procedures following urgent mediation.
Choi also addressed internal communication, stating, "I will ensure that this does not happen in the future." He mentioned that he would provide additional comments during the staff farewell ceremony, effectively acknowledging that there was insufficient explanation and feedback during the agreement process.
The approach to the conflict between the DS and DX divisions has also sparked controversy. After the agreement passed, Choi mentioned the possibility of negotiating separately for DS and DX and proposed a leadership structure of five members from DS and three from DX. While this is framed as a way to reflect the interests of each division, it may be perceived as an attempt to maintain DS-centric outcomes while sidelining DX concerns.
Currently, the employee ratio between Samsung Electronics' DS and DX divisions is approximately 60 to 40. However, a five-to-three structure would increase the DS representation to 62.5%. By reducing the overall size of the leadership and limiting DX's representation to three members, the decision-making influence of DX would inevitably diminish. This raises concerns that the proposal may not be a balanced approach but rather a fixed advantage for DS.
Choi stated, "We plan to facilitate communication of opinions by organizing staff members by division." However, after drawing lines between DS and DX, the response to DX's backlash appears to be a move towards separation, which has been criticized as lacking integrated leadership. Critics argue that the union chairman, who should mediate conflicts, is instead institutionalizing the conflict structure.
The upcoming reappointment general meeting scheduled for June 17 is also a variable. Choi has expressed his intention to seek evaluation from union members, but there are mixed opinions internally about whether the reappointment process is a mechanism for accountability or a political maneuver to maintain his position. Some interpret this as an attempt to reaffirm leadership based on support from the DS division amid the divided interests of DS and DX.
Choi's statement that he plans to establish a delegate system starting in 2027 also appears to be a reactive measure. Concerns have been raised through media reports about the lack of internal checks, such as a delegate council, in the operation of the Samsung Electronics union. The decision to introduce a delegate system is seen as a response to these criticisms. However, setting the implementation date for next year suggests an intention to avoid immediate accountability regarding the current agreement and the reappointment process.
An industry insider remarked, "Even if there was government pressure, the responsibility for the agreement lies with the union leadership. While separating DS and DX may disperse dissatisfaction in the short term, it could further divide the internal union at Samsung Electronics in the long run."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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