Samsung Biologics Union Postpones Second Strike, Seeks to Resume Talks

"A change in strategy is necessary"

The Samsung Biologics labor union has provisionally postponed its second general strike, which had been scheduled to begin on October 26. The union plans to pursue a resumption of negotiations with management while reviewing its future strike schedule and protest strategy.

A labor union flag hangs at a Samsung Biologics plant in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. Yonhap News Agency.

On October 20, the Samsung Biologics labor union said in a notice, "We decided to provisionally postpone the strike schedule because we believe a change in strategy is necessary following the court's decision on October 16." It added, "With a temporary general meeting scheduled for October 22 to secure funds for labor disputes, we have not yet announced a firm strike schedule publicly."

The union added, "We requested negotiations with management on the afternoon of October 19, and management told us it would consider how to proceed with dialogue."

On October 16, the Civil Division 1 of the Seoul High Court's Incheon Branch ruled in an appeal over an injunction prohibiting industrial action sought by Samsung Biologics that work at the nine biopharmaceutical production processes claimed by management must be maintained at normal levels even during industrial action.

The processes are ▲flask culture ▲bioreactor culture ▲harvesting ▲media preparation and supply ▲chromatography ▲virus filtration ▲concentration and buffer exchange ▲drug substance filling ▲buffer preparation and supply. In its first-instance ruling in April 2026, the court ruled that industrial action was restricted only in the final three processes—concentration and buffer exchange, drug substance filling, and buffer preparation and supply. The appeals court overturned that decision.

Samsung Biologics' management and labor union remain at odds over wage increases and the method for calculating performance bonuses. The union held a partial strike in late April and a full-scale strike in early May, and had announced plans for a second general strike lasting three weeks starting October 26. With the strike provisionally postponed, whether negotiations can be resumed is expected to become the next major turning point.

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