Samsung BioLogics Union to Launch General Strike for Three Weeks Starting on the 26th

Despite Three Rounds of Post-Mediation, Wage and HR Policy Disputes Persist
Union Steps Up Compliance Actions... Management Cites "Efforts for Agreement"

After three rounds of post-mediation talks, the labor union at Samsung BioLogics failed to reach an agreement on wages and the collective bargaining agreement, deciding to launch a second general strike for three weeks starting on the 26th. This comes about five months after staging the first full-fledged strike since the company’s establishment in May.

The Samsung BioLogics Mutual Growth Labor Union announced in its battle guidelines released on the 2nd that “the second general strike will begin for three weeks from October 26.” From that day, the union will also intensify its compliance action, including refusing voluntary overtime work and similar measures.

Panoramic view of Samsung BioLogics Plant 4 in Songdo, Incheon. Samsung BioLogics

Labor and management held three rounds of post-mediation negotiations from September 8 to October 1, but could not narrow differences over wage increases and improvements to personnel policies. Previously, during the second post-mediation session in September, the union condensed key issues into 18 items and presented them to management.

The union reported that, in the third post-mediation meeting held the previous day, management maintained the same 6.2% wage increase offered in March and claimed, based on public disclosures, that Samsung BioLogics employees receive better treatment compared to competitors. The union denounced these claims as “deceptive” and declared that it would hold management accountable through a general strike.

The union began intensified compliance action as of today. Union members were instructed not to engage in irregular work, including voluntary overtime, and to adhere strictly to performing work only within designated working hours.

Samsung BioLogics stated, “We have negotiated sincerely and in good faith to conclude the wage and collective bargaining agreements amicably with the union,” adding, “Nevertheless, we deeply regret that an agreement has not yet been reached.”

However, the company indicated it is unable to accept demands such as a 15% increase in fixed pay made by the union. The company explained that the average salary of Samsung BioLogics employees is the highest among domestic pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

The labor-management conflict at Samsung BioLogics has continued for more than half a year. After mediation by the labor commission collapsed on March 23, the union launched a partial strike at the end of April and held a full-scale strike from May 1 to May 5. Even after that, the union has persisted in compliance action by refusing overtime and holiday work.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.