As the strike by Samsung Electronics' union intensifies, reactions are emerging on online communities suggesting that employees should sell their Samsung shares and switch to SK Hynix. The ongoing labor dispute, amid a booming semiconductor market, is affecting investor sentiment.
On May 13, the Korea Samsung Electronics Union (Korea Samsung Electronics Union) announced it would continue its strike without further negotiations with management.
The union stated, "There will be no additional talks until the strike ends," with estimates suggesting that at least 50,000 workers may participate. Concerns are growing in the industry about potential disruptions to semiconductor production.
The controversy has gained traction in online forums. One Samsung employee posted on the anonymous workplace community 'Blind,' urging others to sell their Samsung shares and switch to SK Hynix.
The employee, referred to as A, claimed, "It's no longer about a 10% or 15% issue," adding, "The atmosphere has become so hostile that the staff is in a mode of passive resistance." A further stated, "Unless Chairman Lee Jae-Yong directly intervenes and reorganizes the executive team, offering compensation at least on par with SK Hynix, we have crossed a point of no return."
A also expressed a bleak outlook for Samsung investments, stating, "That will never happen. Run away."
In response to the post, netizens commented, "Isn't it more profitable to lay off employees with severance pay than to give performance bonuses?" and "There are no irreplaceable workers; they seem unaware they're cutting off their own livelihoods." Others remarked, "If you don't want to work, just quit; there are plenty of people waiting to take your place," and "If we give in now, we will have to keep giving in."
Meanwhile, as SK Hynix strengthens its position in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market, Samsung faces challenges from labor disputes and concerns about its foundry competitiveness, leading to a growing divide in investor opinions.
With the possibility of a prolonged strike by the Samsung union, discussions continue online regarding the company's corporate culture, performance bonus system, and management responses.
As the gap between Samsung and the union shows little sign of closing, attention is focused on the potential impact on semiconductor production and investor sentiment.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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