Union Declares Opposition to 'Honam Project,' Vows to Bring It to Bargaining Table Citing 'Yellow Envelope Act'

The Samsung Electronics branch of the Samsung Group Super-Enterprise Labor Union has announced that 84% of its members oppose the government's semiconductor project in the Honam region, warning that it will address the matter in next year's collective bargaining.

The Super-Enterprise Labor Union is primarily composed of employees from the Device Solutions (DS) division, which oversees the semiconductor business.

In a statement released today, the union said, "In a survey conducted by the union over the weekend, 84% of respondents expressed opposition to the Honam semiconductor project, citing concerns over job transfers, working conditions, and compensation." The union added, "What is needed now is not speed, but a process of building trust."

The union also demanded that consistent standards be applied to labor policies.

"On one hand, the government is pushing for a 4.5-day workweek, while on the other, it says it will lift the 52-hour workweek cap for the sake of a mega project," the union argued. "Policies are being pushed forward without any consideration for the opinions of the union members and workers in the semiconductor industry."

Regarding the Honam semiconductor project, the union stated, "We intend to address this issue in the 2027 collective bargaining." It further noted, "Under the revised Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, also known as the 'Yellow Envelope Act,' enacted by the government and the ruling party, business decisions that affect the working conditions of union members have become subjects for bargaining."

The union added, "This project, which involves the workplaces and compensation of tens of thousands of employees, is a prime example of such a case," and emphasized, "This task must also be pursued through dialogue with the union."

The union urged, "We ask the government to respond to the labor-management-government consultative body proposed by the union," adding, "We hope for constructive dialogue."

It also stated, "Taking a long-term approach and preparing step-by-step, rather than being hasty, is the way to protect the future of Korea's semiconductor industry."

Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Jung Yong-hee | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.