Internal conflicts at Samsung Electronics have escalated, with tensions over bonus distribution methods leading to allegations of threats against specific employees and union leaders.
According to industry sources, the Samsung Group's inter-company labor union, Samsung Electronics Branch (Intercompany Union), sent a formal request to the Donghaeng Labor Union, which focuses on the home appliances and mobile (DX) sectors, demanding measures to prevent violent expressions directed at employees and union leaders.
The accompanying reference materials included posts from a communication channel within the union that contained derogatory remarks aimed at the Intercompany Union chairman and specific employees, as well as references to explosives and physical harm, indicating serious threats.
The Intercompany Union stated, "Despite the communication channel being a closed space requiring individual authentication, the operators have allowed such extreme expressions without intervention or sanctions." They emphasized that this behavior creates feelings of humiliation and anxiety among members, transcending mere differences of opinion.
They further demanded a formal response in writing by September 18, including measures to prevent recurrence and preservation of original records of communication.
The root cause of this conflict lies in the growing dissatisfaction among members regarding the disparity in bonus amounts across different business divisions. The widening compensation gap between the semiconductor (DS) and non-semiconductor (DX) divisions has led to differences in union positions, which have devolved into hostile language directed at one another. As the Intercompany Union, primarily representing the semiconductor sector, pushes for the introduction of a performance bonus system linked to operating profit and agreements on one-time special bonuses, the Donghaeng Union has opposed these semiconductor-centric compensation proposals, calling for separate compensation measures.
Moreover, the Donghaeng Union has continued to operate a separate communication channel, claiming to protect the actual rights of DX division members, while independently conveying compensation demands to management, furthering the divide.
In response, the Intercompany Union plans to hold a general meeting in October to propose amendments to its regulations, limiting membership eligibility to employees in the DS division, effectively declaring a transition to a 'semiconductor-exclusive union.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.