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Choi Seung-ho, head of the Samsung Electronics branch of the Samsung Group’s multi-employer union, attends the second post-mediation meeting at the Central Labor Relations Commission in the Sejong Government Complex on May 18. (Photo: Yonhap News Agency) |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Internal tensions are escalating within the largest labor union at Samsung Electronics, as some members accuse union leadership of procedural violations and coercive behavior in pushing ahead with a strike.
According to industry sources on May 19, a group of members from the Samsung Group’s multi-employer union filed a formal complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, requesting corrective action and administrative guidance over alleged illegal conduct during collective bargaining and strike preparations.
The complainants argue that union leader Choi Seung-ho made statements that could constitute coercion under criminal law. In a March online broadcast, Choi reportedly said that employees who continued working during the strike could be identified and later subject to forced reassignment or dismissal discussions—remarks critics say amount to implicit threats.
Members also raised concerns about the process of forming bargaining demands, claiming that the union cited survey results to reject proposed changes to performance bonus allocation despite such questions not being included in the survey. They further alleged that the union prioritized the semiconductor (DS) division’s interests while excluding proposals from the device (DX) division.
Additional complaints focus on procedural issues, including the timing of general assembly notices. Complainants said the union failed to meet the legally required seven-day advance notice, issuing it only three days prior to meetings where strike action and bylaw amendments were approved.
Changes to union rules—such as allowing the union chair to act as auditor in the absence of a designated auditor—have also been criticized for undermining oversight and accountability. The decision to increase union dues by up to fivefold during the strike period has further fueled discontent, with critics arguing that such measures should require full general assembly approval.
The group has also filed for a court injunction to suspend the validity of the union’s bargaining demands and halt related negotiations. A hearing is scheduled at the Suwon District Court on May 20, with the complainants planning a press conference to call for a revised negotiation agenda that reflects broader member input.
The dispute highlights growing internal divisions within the union, raising questions about governance, representation, and legitimacy as labor tensions intensify at Samsung Electronics.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
