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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Samsung Biologics management and its labor union have returned to the negotiating table, raising expectations for a potential breakthrough after a major sticking point was dropped from the union’s demands.
According to the company on June 16, both sides resumed wage and collective bargaining negotiations at the firm’s headquarters in Songdo, Incheon. The meeting marked the first formal talks since the union staged a strike last month.
Negotiations ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with discussions focusing primarily on how future talks will be conducted rather than on specific agenda items. A company official said both sides exchanged views on the framework for continued dialogue.
The talks were made possible after the union revised its demands, removing a controversial proposal that had required company approval from an employment stability committee—including union members—for decisions such as corporate splits, mergers, and voluntary retirement programs.
The clause had been a major source of disagreement, with the company arguing it could infringe on management and personnel rights. Its removal appears to have eased the company’s burden in returning to negotiations.
However, significant differences remain over wages. The union is demanding a 14.3% increase in base salary, a one-time settlement payment of 30 million won per employee, and a performance bonus equivalent to 20% of operating profit. The company, meanwhile, is maintaining its proposal of a 6.2% wage increase.
Legal disputes between the two sides are also expected to influence the course of negotiations. The company has filed complaints against union leader Park Jae-sung and six others on charges including defamation and business obstruction. The union has countered with its own legal actions, alleging unfair labor practices in four separate cases.
Separately, the union is holding a vote from June 16 to 18 on whether to withdraw from the Samsung Group-wide labor organization. If a majority of members participate and at least two-thirds vote in favor, the union will pursue an independent path. The move reflects differing interests among affiliates and follows the recent conclusion of labor negotiations at Samsung Electronics, a key member of the group-wide union.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
