May 5, 2023: On Thursday, an influential Samsung Electronics workers union warned that its members could exit over a wage dispute in the South Korean tech firm’s first strike in its past.

The National Samsung Electronics Union states that Samsung management has slashed the union out of wage-related arguments.

The NSEU, representing around 10,000 staff, or about 9% of employees, staged a press conference regarding one of Samsung’s flats in Seoul and demanded the tech firm’s Chairman, Lee Jae-Yong, join the discussions.

Lee Hyun-kuk, a union representative, said it would go on strike after consultation with its people. However, according to local media reports published on the union’s website, it is reliable on the “attitude” of Samsung Chair Lee and his willingness to talk over.

“It is reliable on the attitude of Chairman Lee Jae-Yong. According to Bloomberg, we sincerely ask him to enter the table for talks,” the NSEU’s Lee said.

If the way goes ahead, it would be the initial strike since the founding of Samsung Electronics in 1969. Samsung Electronics encompasses Samsung’s consumer hardware, display and mobile carrier firms.

Tension with employees comes at a sensitive time for the world’s significant smartphone and memory chip creator after its operating profit in the first quarter plunged to its lesser level since 2009.

Samsung has been hurt by decreasing prices and the market for its memory chips, which is its significant profit driver.

The union questions a 6% wage increase for workers. According to the association, Samsung management said it would increase wages by around 4% last month.