"We Should Just Get Rid of It" ... Samsung Electronics Labor Union Vice Chair Sparks Controversy

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[Financial News] The controversy is growing after it was reported that the leadership of the Samsung Electronics cross-company labor union made remarks in an internal Telegram chat room to the effect that "Samsung Electronics is something we should just get rid of." As labor-management tensions intensify ahead of a general strike, the hard-line comments are also drawing criticism online.
On the 17th, screenshots of messages exchanged in an internal Telegram chat room used by the leadership of the Samsung cross-company labor union were shared on Blind and other online communities.
An image posted on Blind under the title, "Please help us. The union is trying to get rid of Samsung Electronics," showed Samsung Electronics labor union vice chair Lee Song-i making remarks to the effect that "Samsung Electronics is something we should just get rid of."
She also reportedly wrote comments such as, "If it means splitting off, then split off," and "I'm telling you this with the resolve that it may lead to a split. If we back down this time..." The messages also included lines such as, "We take responsibility for bringing it this far," and "I'll show you what it means to be really pissed off."
According to Yonhap News Agency, in a one-on-one conversation with a union member who saw the post, the vice chair also made remarks including, "I feel like punching the company in the face," "They're talking about family and all that nonsense," and "If I get sent to prison, I'll read some books and work out a bit."
The one-on-one conversation became public after the union member shared it in the union community and elsewhere.
As the content spread online, criticism from internet users intensified.
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Users responded with comments such as, "How can an employee who gets a salary talk about getting rid of the company?", "The union can only exist if the company exists," and "It seems like they are handling an issue that affects tens of thousands of livelihoods based on personal emotions."
Some, however, said the remarks showed how far the labor dispute had escalated.
Samsung Electronics labor union is currently demanding greater transparency in the performance bonus system and the removal of the cap on payouts. It has announced a general strike for 18 days, from the 21st through the 7th of next month. The two sides also failed to reach an agreement during a lengthy post-mediation meeting on the 13th, and they are expected to enter what is effectively the final round of talks at the National Labor Relations Commission on the 18th.
After an informal meeting with management on the day, Choi Seung-ho, chairman of the cross-company labor union, said, "The proposal the company presented has moved backward from its previous position," adding, "If they take the same stance in tomorrow's negotiations, I will not agree."
The government also signaled a hard-line response.
In a public address to the nation, Prime Minister of South Korea Kim Min-seok said, "If Samsung Electronics' strike is expected to cause major damage to the national economy, we will consider all response measures, including emergency arbitration." If emergency arbitration is invoked, the union must immediately suspend the strike and cannot engage in dispute actions for 30 days.
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter