Samsung Electronics’ Supra-enterprise Union Becomes a Semiconductor Union; DX Union Says, "We Are Not Considering a Split"

[Financial News] The Samsung Electronics Chapter of the Samsung Group Supra-enterprise Labor Union (the supra-enterprise union) has shifted its focus to the Device Solutions (DS) Division, which oversees the semiconductor business.
The union will now negotiate only for the DS Division, Samsung Electronics’ largest unionized group, completely separating it from the labor union representing the Device eXperience (DX) Division, which handles finished products such as home appliances, TVs and smartphones and had been involved in conflicts with the union.
As a result, no-confidence motions against Lee Song-i, vice chair of the DX Division, and Lee Won-il, head of the Gwangju chapter, were passed with overwhelming support of more than 95%.
The supra-enterprise union announced the "Results of the Fifth General Assembly of 2026" on the 19th, stating, "Through this general assembly, the supra-enterprise union has clearly defined its organizational scope as workers belonging to Samsung Electronics’ DS Division."
The supra-enterprise union added, "This has established a foundation for achieving consistency and efficiency across all areas of union activity, including organizational operations, workplace activities and collective bargaining. The supra-enterprise union will take the lead in protecting the rights and interests of DS Division members and improving their working conditions. Please keep in mind that DS can achieve better results by moving forward together."
An amendment to the union bylaws allowing only workers belonging to the DS Division to join passed with the support of 27,618 voters, or 96.3% of the 28,680 voters. Only 1,062 voted against it.
With the bylaw amendment, the supra-enterprise union, which had encompassed both the DS and DX Divisions, has been reorganized around the DS Division.
Existing members of the DX Division are expected to be treated as having withdrawn from the union under the bylaw amendment.
No-confidence motions against the two executives from the DX Division were also passed. The motion against Vice Chair Lee Song-i passed with 95.7% support, while the motion against Lee Won-il, head of the Gwangju chapter, passed with 96.2% support.
The supra-enterprise union had claimed that Lee Song-i and Lee Won-il discussed a plan to force Chairman Choi’s resignation in an effort to block the DS-centered organizational restructuring. It also alleged that they reported externally that Chairman Choi had contracted with a business operated by his father-in-law and had entered into contracts for rally-preparation materials and other goods.
With the no-confidence motions against Lee Song-i and Lee Won-il being submitted and passed, the labor dispute within the supra-enterprise union over performance-bonus funding and the direction of union operations appears to be entering its closing phase.
Against this backdrop, Donghaeng Union, a Samsung Electronics labor union centered on the DX Division, held a rally outside Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s residence the previous day, demanding direct talks with him on wage negotiations and performance bonuses.
At an on-site press conference, Donghaeng Union Welfare Director Lee Yong-hoon said, "Rather than leaving the supra-enterprise union voluntarily, we had no choice." He added, "In fact, we are not considering breaking away from the DS union. We will continue conveying our views and work to coordinate so that they can be accepted." The remarks suggest that the lingering fallout may continue. 

[email protected] Kim Hak-jae Reporter