Samsung Electronics and Labor Union Resume Final Negotiations Ahead of Strike

Samsung Electronics and its labor union began their final round of negotiations on May 19, ahead of a planned general strike on May 21.

The two sides met at the Central Labor Relations Commission in Sejong at 10 a.m. to resume wage negotiations for the year.

Park Soo-geun, chairman of the commission, stated as he entered the meeting room, "We will see if both sides can reach an agreement. If not, we will present a mediation proposal. There is still a possibility of an agreement, so we will assess that."

Regarding the potential for an agreement, Park noted, "Some issues are being narrowed down," adding that he would confirm the points of disagreement from the previous day.

He also mentioned that a draft mediation proposal had not yet been prepared.

Both parties arrived at the meeting earlier than scheduled. Ye Myung-gu, a senior executive in the semiconductor division, arrived at 8:20 a.m. and expressed, "We will do our best" as he entered the meeting room.

Choi Seung-ho, the union's chief negotiator, silently headed to the meeting room at 8:51 a.m.

The negotiations, which began at 10 a.m., are expected to conclude by 7 p.m. However, if discussions extend, the end time may be pushed back, and there is a possibility that negotiations could continue until May 20, the day before the strike.

The first round of post-adjustment talks, held on May 11-12, extended past midnight on May 12, concluding around 3:30 a.m. on May 13.

With the union's planned general strike set for May 21, this second round of negotiations is viewed as the last opportunity for dialogue.