As the strike by Samsung Electronics' labor union intensifies, reactions are emerging on online communities suggesting that investors should sell their Samsung shares and switch to SK Hynix. Amid a booming semiconductor market, the prolonged labor dispute is affecting investor sentiment.
On May 13, the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union (전삼노), the largest union at Samsung, announced it would continue its strike without further negotiations with management.
The union stated, "There will be no additional discussions until the strike concludes," with estimates suggesting at least 50,000 workers may participate. Concerns are growing in the industry about potential disruptions to semiconductor production.
The controversy has gained traction on online platforms. One Samsung employee posted on the anonymous community 'Blind' with the title, "Sell all your Samsung shares and jump to Hynix."
The employee, referred to as A, commented, "It’s no longer about a 10% or 15% issue," and added, "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 to reorganize the executive team and offer compensation on par with SK Hynix, we have crossed the river of no return."
A also expressed a bleak outlook for Samsung investments, saying, "That will never happen. Run away."
In response to A's post, netizens commented, "Isn't it more profitable to cut them loose with severance pay than to give them bonuses?" and "There’s no irreplaceable talent; they seem unaware they are cutting their own livelihoods." Others added, "If you don’t want to work, just quit; there are plenty of people waiting to take your place," and "If we concede now, we’ll have to keep conceding in the future."
Meanwhile, as SK Hynix shows strength in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market due to a recovery in the semiconductor sector, Samsung is facing scrutiny over labor disputes and concerns about its foundry competitiveness, leading to a growing comparative sentiment among investors.
With the possibility of a prolonged strike by the Samsung union, debates surrounding the company’s corporate culture, bonus system, and management responses continue to unfold online.
As the gap between Samsung and the union remains wide, attention is focused on the potential impact on semiconductor production and investor sentiment.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.