Samsung Biologics Union Plans General Strike
The Samsung Biologics union will go on a general strike for three weeks starting on Oct. 26. Before the general strike, it will also raise the level of its work-to-rule struggle. This comes as the union ordered its members through guidelines not to work overtime, including holiday shifts. The manage
The Samsung Biologics union has announced plans for a three-week general strike starting on October 26. Prior to this strike, the union will intensify its work-to-rule struggle, instructing members to avoid overtime, including holiday shifts. Management has expressed concern but remains open to dialogue for a future agreement.
The union made this decision after failing to reach an agreement on wages and collective bargaining during a third post-mediation session conducted by the Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission. Both sides were unable to bridge their differences on wage increases.
Management maintained the existing 6.2% base pay increase and proposed a method to support interest on employee stock ownership. They argued that this would result in an average financial benefit of over 5 million won ($3,702) per employee. However, the union felt this was insufficient.
During the third post-mediation, the union refrained from collective action, but the company remained steadfast in its 6.2% wage increase. The union representative stated that the company's proposal lacked practicality, leading to the decision for a second general strike aimed at securing a wage and collective bargaining agreement in 2026.
The union also plans to raise the level of its work-to-rule struggle before the general strike. Guidelines issued by the union advise members to avoid abnormal work forms such as voluntary overtime or responding to tasks after work hours or on holidays.
Management insisted that it cannot accept the union's wage increase demand. They previously sought a 9.5% increase, a fixed 3 million won, separate encouragement bonuses, and performance bonuses, along with a stake in the personnel system. Management argued that a strike would cause significant losses due to the nature of biopharmaceutical manufacturing, estimating a loss of 150 billion won from the previous general strike. They emphasized that a second strike would severely impact the company's long-term competitiveness.
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