Samsung Electronics' union says to enter mediation over wage dispute

May 8, 2026 4:29 AM EDT

FILE PHOTO: A Samsung Electronics logo and a computer motherboard appear in this illustration taken August 25, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

SEOUL, May 8 (Reuters) - ‌Samsung Electronics' ​union ​said on Friday it will enter a mediation process with the ‌company on May 11 and 12 over ⁠a wage dispute that has threatened to escalate ‌into a full-blown strike ‌at the company.

If dissatisfied with the outcome of the mediation, the union said ​in a statement it was prepared to go ahead with a planned general ⁠strike.

Unions at the chipmaking giant have been taking industrial action ​in a bid to secure a bonus increase and have threatened to ​strike for 18 days from ‌May 21.

Negotiators from the union, management and the government met on ⁠Friday, with Labour Ministry officials pledging "full support" for talks between the two sides, the union ⁠said.

Shares of Samsung Electronics jumped 2.6% in after-hours ​trading in Seoul.

Samsung Electronics and the Labour Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Earlier ‌this week, Samsung's board chairman called upon the unionised workers to ‌resolve pay disputes with management, warning that ⁠a planned strike ‌could have "serious consequences" ​for the Korean economy.

(Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin and Heekyong YangEditing by Ed ‌Davies)



Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

You May Also Be Interested In





Related Categories

Reuters