Samsung Group's super union, the Samsung Electronics branch, is moving to limit membership eligibility to employees in the Device Solutions (DS) division, which oversees semiconductor operations. This restructuring comes amid growing differences between Samsung Electronics unions regarding performance bonus distribution, ahead of next year's wage and collective bargaining negotiations.
According to a notice distributed to union members on September 9, the super union plans to hold a general meeting on October 6 to vote on key bargaining proposals.
The voting items include: 1) a proposal to unify performance bonus distribution criteria across the company, 2) a request to improve penalty measures for losses in the System LSI and Foundry divisions, and 3) a proposed amendment to limit membership eligibility to the DS division. Any proposals approved at the meeting will be incorporated into the 2027 bargaining demands.
The most notable change is the membership eligibility amendment. Initially, the super union encompassed employees from both the DS and Device Experience (DX) divisions, but if this amendment passes, it will effectively become a union focused solely on the DS division.
The growing divide among unions stems from issues surrounding performance bonus distribution. The National Samsung Electronics Union (Jeonsamno) and the Donghaeng Union are advocating for performance bonuses to be distributed using company-wide resources. In particular, the DX-focused Donghaeng Union has previously withdrawn from joint negotiations due to disagreements on this issue.
The super union believes the likelihood of forming a joint negotiation team for next year's talks is low and is considering pursuing independent negotiations centered on the DS division. However, the leadership has not yet taken a position on the demand for unified performance bonuses through company-wide resources, deciding instead to let union members vote on whether to include it in the bargaining agenda.
The issue of performance bonuses based on the financial results of semiconductor divisions is also a key agenda item. The super union will put to a vote a proposal to improve the 'loss penalty' applied to the System LSI and Foundry divisions. The union claims that the inclusion of division losses in members' performance bonuses has led to increased dissatisfaction and decreased motivation among employees.
As the super union is expected to become the representative negotiating union during this year's bargaining window consolidation process, it aims to gather member opinions in advance through this general meeting.
The union stated, "We believe it is right to determine policy direction through member voting," adding, "We will ensure procedural fairness and fulfill our obligations." It also noted, "We plan to prepare diligently for the 2027 negotiations," and indicated that only super union members will participate in voting if a tentative agreement is reached.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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