▲ Samsung Biologics
The Samsung Biologics Win-Win Labor Union announced today (Oct. 2) that it will launch a second general strike later this month after failing to reach an agreement with management on wage increases and personnel system improvements through three rounds of post-adjustment sessions.
In response, management expressed deep concern and stated its position to make proactive efforts for an agreement through dialogue.
In a struggle guideline released on the same day, the union stated, "We will enter into a three-week second general strike starting October 26."
The union stated that during the third post-adjustment meeting the previous day, management maintained its stance on a 6.2% wage increase rate—the same as in March—and argued based on public disclosure information that compensation is better than that of competitors.
The union went on to define management's claims as "deceptive" and added that it would hold management accountable through a general strike.
In addition, the union instructed its members to enter into intensified compliance struggle starting today.
The union presented struggle principles such as "do not engage in abnormal work patterns like arbitrary extended work" and "do not push unreasonably to finish today's tasks today."
The union emphasized that "the company is not recognizing the union as a negotiating partner" and that it will pressure management through solidarity.
Samsung Biologics management stated, "We have engaged in negotiations with sincerity and genuine intent to smoothly conclude the collective wage and labor agreements. Nevertheless, we deeply regret that we have not reached an agreement up to this point."
Management stated that it is difficult to accept the union's demand for a fixed wage increase of around 15%, adding that the average salary of Samsung Biologics employees is the highest among pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
Management further emphasized, "Biopharmaceuticals must be entirely discarded even if only a part of the process is halted, and the previous general strike already caused 150 billion won in losses," warning that if the union pushes ahead with a second general strike, it will have a critical impact on the company's long-term competitiveness.
Management added, "We have the will to conclude the wage and labor negotiations through dialogue" and that it will keep the dialogue channel with the union open.
Labor-management conflict at Samsung Biologics has persisted for over half a year.
After negotiations with management broke down on March 23, the Samsung Biologics union carried out a partial strike in late April, followed by a full-scale strike designated as the "first general strike" from May 1 to 5, and has since continued a compliance struggle refusing extended and holiday work.
Labor and management held three post-adjustment meetings from September 8 until the previous day, but failed to narrow their differences.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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