A recording that includes part of a follow-up mediation meeting between the Samsung Electronics labor union and the National Labor Relations Commission (hereinafter the commission) has been released to the media, stirring controversy.
Choi Seung-ho, chairperson of the Samsung Group cross-enterprise labor union's Samsung Electronics chapter (cross-enterprise union), on the 15th released to the public an audio file recorded during a closed-door meeting with the commission. The file was also shared with union members before the media. The audio contains a conversation around 1:30 p.m. on the 12th between a mediation commissioner seeking to narrow the differences between labor and management and Chairperson Choi.
In the recording, Choi pointed out that Vice President Kim Hyeong-ro, the company's chief negotiator, kept saying that Samsung Electronics' operating profit this year would be 200 trillion won, saying, "The full-year projected operating profit this year is 300 trillion won," and asked, "Is it normal for (Vice President Kim) to be saying it likely won't reach 200 trillion won now?" Choi then claimed, "Vice President Kim knows nothing about semiconductors and is lying about the size of the results themselves."
A mediation commissioner from the commission tried to calm Chairperson Choi, saying the commissioner would look for areas where labor and management could narrow their differences to craft a mediation proposal. However, Choi raised an objection, saying, "As you know, we (the union) submitted a mediation demand, so why is the company starting to talk about what was discussed during the intensive bargaining?" Choi then said, "We have no intention of talking with the company any further, so give us the mediation proposal."
Given that the commission conducts follow-up mediation meetings behind closed doors, the release of the recording is being seen as potentially undermining trust in the mediator. It has not been confirmed whether the other mediation commissioner consented to the recording. If it was recorded and released without consent, it could escalate into a morality controversy.
Labor and management at Samsung Electronics conducted follow-up mediation at the commission located in the Government Sejong Complex from the morning of the 11th until early on the 13th. The follow-up mediation, arranged by the government, collapsed at the union's request to halt the process. The Samsung Electronics union is demanding bonuses funded by 15% of operating profit and the institutionalization of abolishing the cap, and has announced an 18-day general strike from the 21st through July 7.