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Samsung Group Union Declares Majority Status at Press Conference in Seoul (Photo: Yonhap News Agency) |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] A shareholder advocacy group has announced plans to hold a large-scale rally in opposition to a union protest scheduled at Samsung Electronics’s Pyeongtaek campus on April 23.
According to the group, known as the Samsung Electronics Shareholder Action Committee, it will stage a “5 Million Shareholders General Rally” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a sidewalk across from the site of the union’s employee assembly, located on Godeokgukje-daero 5 in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. The group submitted a report for the outdoor gathering to the Pyeongtaek Police Station on April 20.
A representative of the group criticized the union’s demands, stating, “In response to excessive demands such as KRW 40 trillion in bonuses and the closure of the world’s top semiconductor plant, Samsung Electronics’ 5 million shareholders are rising in protest.” The representative added that Samsung’s global success was built not only by management and employees, but also by the continued support and trust of its shareholders, arguing that shareholders have been largely excluded.
“We can no longer leave Samsung solely in the hands of management and labor. Shareholders must now come together to protect and defend the company,” the statement said, encouraging participation from shareholders. The group also noted that interested participants could register via a Google Form to receive further details from organizers. Samsung Electronics has approximately 4 million individual shareholders in South Korea.
The announcement comes as the union has warned of a potential large-scale strike in May, drawing nationwide attention to issues such as labor action and bonus demands. On April 15, a solo protester also appeared in front of Samsung Electronics’ Seocho headquarters, holding a placard criticizing the union under the title “A Message to the Samsung Electronics Union.”
The protester stated that the company’s current achievements were not solely the result of employees’ efforts, but were made possible through “the support, concessions, and sacrifices of the entire nation.” Identifying themselves as neither conservative nor progressive, nor a shareholder, but “someone who loves Samsung,” the individual called for a meeting with the union leadership.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
