The Samsung Biologics labor union, embroiled in a conflict over wages and collective agreements, has announced plans for a second general strike.
According to the biopharmaceutical industry on October 2, the union informed its members that the strike will commence on October 26 and last for three weeks. In a newsletter distributed that day, the union stated, "We have refrained from collective action until now, but the company has failed to present a substantial proposal for resolution." They added, "We will hold the company accountable for deceiving all union members through this general strike." The union emphasized that it is escalating its collective actions to secure victory in the 2026 wage negotiations.
The union instructed members to prepare for the strike by solidifying their resolve by October 26 and to participate immediately once the strike participation site opens. They also stated, "Following union directives is an obligation for members," and announced plans for a separate compensation policy for those participating in the strike.
The strike guidelines include only fulfilling mandatory monthly working hours without engaging in voluntary overtime. Members will also refuse tasks that deviate from standard work practices, such as after-hours work, holiday duties, emergency standby, and on-call responsibilities.
Additionally, the union instructed members to report any disadvantages related to disciplinary actions, evaluations, attendance, or pay, and to wear protest vests at all times. However, they prohibited actions such as intentionally stopping or damaging equipment, deleting records, falsifying documents, and physically obstructing work. Members were also advised not to criticize non-union members or those not participating in the strike.
In response to the union's announcement of a second general strike, the company expressed regret. Samsung Biologics issued a statement saying, "We have engaged in numerous negotiations to amicably conclude the 2026 wage negotiations and have sincerely participated in the mediation and post-mediation processes of the Labor Relations Commission. We are very disappointed that we have not reached an agreement."
However, the company reiterated its position that it is difficult to accept the union's demands for wage increases and performance bonus distributions. The company stated, "The union's request for a total fixed salary increase of 15% and a performance bonus distribution of 15% of operating profit is at a level that the company cannot accept."
The company also noted that the average salary for Samsung Biologics employees is approximately 114 million won per person, the highest among domestic pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. They asserted that even with the proposed 6.2% wage increase for 2026, this level would be maintained.
The company expressed concerns that the strike could lead to production disruptions and deteriorating performance. Samsung Biologics explained, "Due to the nature of biopharmaceutical manufacturing, if even a single process is halted, the entire batch must be discarded, resulting in significant revenue loss." They noted that during the previous general strike, losses amounted to 150 billion won.
They warned that if the second strike proceeds, the damage could extend beyond short-term revenue losses and have a critical impact on the company's long-term competitiveness, which would also severely affect all employees.
Finally, Samsung Biologics emphasized, "The company still has the willingness to conclude the wage negotiations through dialogue and hopes for a rational decision from the union."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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