With the all-out strike announced by Samsung Electronics' union five days away, Kim Young-hoon, Minister of Employment and Labor (MOEL), met with Samsung Electronics' management to mediate.
On the 16th, the ministry said in a notice sent to reporters, "Minister Kim met with Samsung Electronics' management today and held a meeting for about an hour," adding, "Minister Kim explained to the company what was discussed in yesterday's meeting with the labor union and the government's position, and asked the company to actively engage in talks to resolve the issue."
Earlier, Minister Kim also met the previous day with Choi Seung-ho, chairperson of the Samsung Electronics local of the Samsung Group Super-Enterprise Labor Union, the largest union at Samsung Electronics.
In the current bargaining, the union is demanding institutionalization of a fixed bonus equal to 15% of operating profit and the abolition of the cap. The company says it can maintain the existing system while allowing flexible institutionalization through uncapped special rewards, leaving both sides' positions far apart.
The union plans to stage an all-out strike for 18 days from the 21st to July 7. About 46,000 members have expressed their intention to participate as of recently. The union expects up to about 50,000 members to join.