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Samsung Biologics Union Talks Resume Amid Strike Over Pay

Samsung Biologics labor union will resume talks with management on Monday after the first round failed on Thursday. The strike, the first ever for the union, entered its third day with 2,800 workers participating. The union demands a 14 percent pay increase and bonuses, while the company has proposed 6.2 percent. The company warns the strike could cause 640 billion won in damage.

Key Points: Samsung Biologics Union Resumes Talks Amid Strike

  • Talks resume Monday under labor office mediation
  • Union demands 14% base and performance pay increase
  • 2,800 of 4,000 union members participating in strike
  • Company warns of 640 billion won potential damage
2 min read

Samsung Biologics labour union to resume talks with management on Monday

Samsung Biologics union to resume talks on Monday after first round failed. Strike demands 14% pay hike and bonuses, with 2,800 workers participating.

"Our decision to respond to the labor ministry's arbitration request during the walkout was part of our sincere efforts to sort the issue out through dialogue - company source"

Seoul, May 3

Samsung Biologics, the biotech arm of Samsung Group, has agreed to return to the negotiation table this week, a corporate official said on Sunday.

The two sides will renegotiate on Monday under the mediation of the Jungbu regional employment and labor office, after the first round of talks fell through on Thursday.

The strike is the first ever for the union, with the walkout entering its third day on Sunday, reports Yonhap news agency.

"Our decision to respond to the labor ministry's arbitration request during the walkout was part of our sincere efforts to sort the issue out through dialogue," a company source said.

The representative urged the labor union to stop its "irrational" demands and collective action and return to the negotiation table.

During the first arbitration meeting held last week, the labor union reportedly demanded the company change all of its bargaining committee members as a prerequisite for talks.

Unionized workers of Samsung Biologics have been staging a strike since Friday. They have demanded a 14 percent increase in both base and performance-related pay, a one-off cash incentive of 30 million won (US$20,389.9) per worker, and bonuses equivalent to 20 percent of annual operating profit.

The company has proposed a combined 6.2 percent increase in base and performance pay.

Around 2,800 of 4,000 unionized members have participated in the collective action, according to the company's labour union.

The company claims the walkout could cause at least 640 billion won worth of damage, which is equivalent to around half of the company's sales for the first quarter.

The union said it plans to continue the strike until Tuesday.

Unionized workers of Samsung Biologics called for the company to establish "fair and transparent" personnel management standards.

"What the labour union demands is that the management should exercise personnel and management authority in a transparent manner so that the employees can work while trusting the company," the labor union said in a release.

The labour union is said to have proposed a collective bargaining agreement that includes clauses requiring prior consent by the union in regard to new hiring, personnel evaluations and decisions on mergers and acquisitions.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
Interesting how Samsung is handling this. The demand for union consent on hiring and M&A seems excessive—it could hamper business flexibility. But the workers do deserve fair wages and transparency in management. A balanced approach is needed, not extreme demands from either side.
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Nisha Z
While I support workers' rights, the demand for union approval on new hires and evaluations feels like overreach. That could create inefficiency. But the company's claim of 640 billion won damage—that's massive. Both sides need to be reasonable. India's labour laws are different, but we also see similar standoffs in manufacturing sectors.
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Michael C
Samsung Biologics is a major player in the global pharma supply chain. A strike affecting production could have ripple effects. I understand the union's desire for better pay, but 30 million won per worker as bonus seems unrealistic for one year. Perhaps a phased increase would be more practical for both sides.
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Ananya R
Seeing a Samsung union strike is surprising! Here in India, we've had our share of labour disputes in IT and manufacturing. The demand for "fair and transparent" management is something workers everywhere want. But the clause for union consent on M&A? That seems too much—it could block necessary business decisions. Hope mediation works.
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Rohit P
The union wants management transparency, which is fair. But demanding 20% of operating profit as bonus? That could drain company resources needed for R&D and expansion. Also, the prerequisite of changing all bargaining committee members seems petty. Both sides need professionalism. In India, we've seen such standoffs harm companies and workers alike.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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