Labor Commission Chair Says Some Differences Have Narrowed in Samsung Electronics Labor Talks, Presents Mediation Proposal if Settlement Appears Possible

[The Financial News] Park Soo-geun, chairman of the Central Labor Commission, who personally stepped in to mediate the second post-dispute talks between Samsung Electronics labor and management, said on the 19th, "We will first see whether the two sides can reach a final settlement, and if that is not possible, we will present a mediation proposal."
Park told reporters at the Central Labor Commission, where the second post-dispute mediation meeting between Samsung Electronics labor and management resumed that day, "There is still a possibility that the two parties can settle, so we will wait and see." The remarks suggest that Samsung Electronics labor and management will be allowed to negotiate autonomously under the post-dispute mediation process, but if the chances of a settlement are deemed low, the commission will step in with a mediation proposal. Taken together with Park's earlier comments, the commission is likely to present a proposal later in the day.
When asked whether the differences were narrowing, he replied, "Some of them are narrowing."
Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics labor and management have continued the second post-dispute mediation meeting since around 9 a.m. on the same day. It is the second day of negotiations, following talks on the 18th. Key issues include whether the gap over the method and scale of performance bonuses can be narrowed, whether the Central Labor Commission will present a final mediation proposal, and whether labor and management will accept it if one is offered. The meeting is scheduled to continue until 7 p.m. Because post-dispute mediation has no fixed deadline, an extension through the 20th cannot be ruled out. If that happens, negotiations would continue until the day before the planned general strike.
At the mediation meeting held the previous day, the Central Labor Commission heard both sides' positions for drafting a proposal. It is understood that various alternatives were presented regarding the funding base and cap for performance bonuses.
Park Jeong-beom, a mediation official at the Central Labor Commission who attended the meeting, said the previous day that "labor and management were both very proactive."
jhyuk@fnnews.com Kim Jun-hyuk Reporter