Samsung Electronics labor union members discuss the wage negotiation agreement and voting process on May 22 in front of the company's main gate in Suwon. [Photo=Yonhap News]
As voting begins on the tentative wage agreement for 2026 at Samsung Electronics, union participation surpassed 66% on the first day, indicating strong member engagement.
According to the Samsung Electronics branch of the Korea Metal Workers' Union, the turnout reached 66.16% by 8:25 p.m. on May 22. The nationwide Samsung Electronics union reported a turnout of 69.15%.
This vote is to determine approval or rejection of the '2026 wage negotiation tentative agreement' reached on May 20. Voting will continue until the morning of May 27, and the agreement will be approved if a majority of union members participate and vote in favor.
The tentative agreement includes an average wage increase of 6.2%, the establishment of a special performance bonus for the semiconductor division, and the introduction of a housing loan program with a maximum of 500 million won.
Notably, the semiconductor sector plans to allocate 10.5% of its operating profit for special bonuses, allowing employees in the memory division to potentially receive bonuses up to 600 million won, including the existing OPI (excess profit bonus).
In contrast, employees in the non-memory sectors, such as system LSI and foundry, are expected to receive bonuses around 210 million won, while the DX (Device Experience) division is projected to receive only 6 million won in stock options, leading to increased internal dissent.
The union representing the DX division, along with the Suwon branch of the Korea Metal Workers' Union, held a press conference outside the Samsung Electronics Suwon campus, stating, "DX employees have initiated a campaign to reject this tentative agreement," and pledged to collaborate with other divisions to ensure its defeat.
Tensions between unions have also escalated. The largest union, the Korea Metal Workers' Union, stated that members of the Donghaeng Union, which did not participate in the joint negotiation team, are not eligible to vote. In response, the Donghaeng Union accused them of changing their stance as opposition votes began to rise.
However, given the overwhelming membership of the Korea Metal Workers' Union and the Suwon branch, market sentiment leans towards a high likelihood of approval. If the agreement is ultimately rejected, both parties will need to re-enter negotiations, raising the possibility of a renewed strike at Samsung Electronics.
According to the Samsung Electronics branch of the Korea Metal Workers' Union, the turnout reached 66.16% by 8:25 p.m. on May 22. The nationwide Samsung Electronics union reported a turnout of 69.15%.
This vote is to determine approval or rejection of the '2026 wage negotiation tentative agreement' reached on May 20. Voting will continue until the morning of May 27, and the agreement will be approved if a majority of union members participate and vote in favor.
The tentative agreement includes an average wage increase of 6.2%, the establishment of a special performance bonus for the semiconductor division, and the introduction of a housing loan program with a maximum of 500 million won.
Notably, the semiconductor sector plans to allocate 10.5% of its operating profit for special bonuses, allowing employees in the memory division to potentially receive bonuses up to 600 million won, including the existing OPI (excess profit bonus).
In contrast, employees in the non-memory sectors, such as system LSI and foundry, are expected to receive bonuses around 210 million won, while the DX (Device Experience) division is projected to receive only 6 million won in stock options, leading to increased internal dissent.
The union representing the DX division, along with the Suwon branch of the Korea Metal Workers' Union, held a press conference outside the Samsung Electronics Suwon campus, stating, "DX employees have initiated a campaign to reject this tentative agreement," and pledged to collaborate with other divisions to ensure its defeat.
Tensions between unions have also escalated. The largest union, the Korea Metal Workers' Union, stated that members of the Donghaeng Union, which did not participate in the joint negotiation team, are not eligible to vote. In response, the Donghaeng Union accused them of changing their stance as opposition votes began to rise.
However, given the overwhelming membership of the Korea Metal Workers' Union and the Suwon branch, market sentiment leans towards a high likelihood of approval. If the agreement is ultimately rejected, both parties will need to re-enter negotiations, raising the possibility of a renewed strike at Samsung Electronics.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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