Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and its labor unions are making last-minute preparations ahead of a general strike scheduled for the 21st, with safety and security personnel required to remain on duty during the walkout under a court injunction barring unlawful industrial action.
On the 18th, the court largely granted Samsung Electronics' injunction request against the Cho Gi-eop Union and the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU). The ruling requires the company to maintain normal staffing levels for personnel needed to keep semiconductor production line safety facilities running and to prevent the deterioration of products such as wafers.
Under the ruling, a total of 7,087 employees — 2,396 in safety roles and 4,691 in security operations — must continue working during the industrial action.
Samsung Electronics sent an official notice on the 20th to the NSEU and the Cho Gi-eop Union, stating that it is "establishing team-level work schedules to ensure that safety and security operations are performed at the same staffing levels as during normal times throughout the period of industrial action." The company asked that affected employees be individually notified and report to work as usual.
The NSEU also released related guidelines the same day, citing the need to protect its members. "If these personnel participate in the strike and halt their work, the company is highly likely to pursue legal liability, including disciplinary measures and damages claims," the union said, instructing members who receive work schedule notifications to report to work as normal during the industrial action. The union added, however, that participation in the strike is permitted outside of their assigned working hours, and that other members may join the strike without restrictions.
The Cho Gi-eop Union asked the company to "send materials specifying the exact number of personnel by sub-team so members can determine whether to participate in the strike," adding that "members whose right to strike is restricted will be required to follow the company's work directives."
