As the Samsung Electronics labor union demanded 15% of operating profit as performance bonuses and warned of a general strike, it was learned that the chairperson of the largest union leading the strike left for vacation in Southeast Asia.
According to the industry on the 28th, Choi Seung-ho, chairperson of the Super Company Union's Samsung Electronics chapter, recently left for a weeklong vacation to Southeast Asia.
The Super Company Union currently has around 75,000 members and is the only majority union since the founding of Samsung Electronics.
The Super Company Union, together with the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union and the Samsung Electronics Union Donghaeng, has formed a joint struggle headquarters and is pushing for a general strike from May 21 to June 7.
At a strike resolution rally on the 23rd, Chairperson Choi said, "An 18-day strike could inflict up to 30 trillion won in losses."
The Samsung Electronics Joint Struggle Headquarters argues for introducing a performance bonus system with no cap, funded by 15% of annual operating profit. Considering Samsung Electronics' operating profit outlook for this year (310 trillion won) and the number of domestic employees, it is demanding about 600 million won per person in performance bonuses.
With even the government expressing concern about a general strike, some Samsung Electronics employees are voicing criticism of Chairperson Choi's overseas trip.
On Blind, an anonymous workplace application, Samsung Electronics employees reportedly posted comments such as, "Either end the strike first or reach a conclusion with the company before going."
A post Chairperson Choi uploaded the previous day also came under scrutiny in connection with the vacation. On the union's website, Chairperson Choi encouraged participation in the general strike, saying, "If you continue to take the company's side even in the upcoming general strike and hinder your colleagues' dedication, it will be difficult to see you as colleagues any longer."