Samsung Electronics union to split DS and DX negotiations amid internal strife over 600 million won bonus

\r\n
[The Financial News] Samsung Electronics Union, the company’s largest labor union, said on the 28th that it will separate future negotiations for the Device Solutions Division (DS Division), which handles the semiconductor business, and the Device eXperience Division (DX Division), which oversees finished products. The move appears to reflect the view that a single bargaining structure, as used this year, makes it difficult to reflect the interests of both divisions.
Through a notice titled "Guidance on Future Bargaining and Union Operations," Chairman Choi Seung-ho said on the 28th, "We know well that a favorable vote rate does not mean union members are satisfied."
The union plans to reorganize future negotiations into a "two-track bargaining system" by separating the DS Division and the DX Division, so that each division's specific circumstances and pending issues can be reflected. The union leadership will also be split, with five members assigned to DS and three to DX.
Choi said, "In the DS Division, we will assess the management situation of the System LSI Division and demand that the company present a vision showing it can return to profitability." He added, "We will meet directly with CSS members whom we were unable to reach during this year's negotiations, listen to their concerns, and ask the company whether the business should continue and how working conditions can be improved."
For the DX Division, the union plans to appoint two new dedicated executives to build a system that can focus on the demands of DX members. Choi explained, "Going forward, when negotiating for the DX Division, we will allow other unions to participate as well so that we can gather diverse opinions and improve working conditions." He also said he plans to issue a notice for a general meeting on the 17th of next month to seek reapproval of his chairmanship.
Choi also apologized for remarks that had sparked controversy during the negotiations. He said, "During the bargaining process, I made inappropriate and careless remarks as the chairman representing the union, such as 'I will help you move to foundry' and 'I can't stand the DX Division anymore.' I apologize to our members."
Although Choi has stepped in to try to calm the situation, it remains unclear whether the internal divisions at Samsung Electronics will subside. The number of union members in the Samsung Electronics Union, which had exceeded 76,000 during wage negotiations, fell sharply to 69,935 as of 6 p.m. the previous day.
Some observers say the union's majority status, which it secured this year, could be shaken by the tentative agreement.
In fact, while members have continued to leave the Samsung Electronics Union, membership in the second- and third-largest unions, the National Samsung Electronics Union and the Donghaeng Labor Union of Samsung Electronics, has been rising. The National Samsung Electronics Union, which includes workers from both the DS and DX divisions, had around 16,000 members on the 20th, but that number rose to 20,600 as of 9 a.m. on the day of reporting. The Donghaeng Labor Union also jumped from the 2,600 range at the end of last month to 16,290 as of this morning.
one1@fnnews.com Jung Won-il Reporter