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The unions' Joint Struggle Headquarters expects roughly 37,000 members to attend the rally, representing about 49% of all unionised workers and 29% of Samsung's 128,881 total employees. Because the rally falls on a weekday, union members at sites across the country are expected to take collective leave, and non-union employees have also submitted leave requests in large numbers.
Industry officials warn that normal production cannot be sustained for more than a week if the full union walks out. The union estimates a strike could cause between 20 and 30 trillion won in production losses. TrendForce has noted a prolonged strike could disrupt supply of memory chips, display driver ICs, and power management ICs, potentially pushing up prices and extending lead times into the third quarter.
Samsung Unions to Hold Rally on Thursday as 18-Day Strike Looms
April 23, 2026
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Samsung Electronics faces what could become South Korea's largest industrial action in years, with unions representing more than 75,000 workers holding a rally at the Pyeongtaek campus ahead of a threatened 18-day general strike starting 21 May. Core demands include scrapping the bonus cap and distributing 15% of annual operating profit, a package worth around 40-45 trillion won.
A Showdown at Pyeongtaek
Samsung Electronics is bracing for one of the most significant labour disputes in South Korea's recent industrial history. Unions representing more than 75,000 workers are staging a rally on Thursday at the company's sprawling Pyeongtaek semiconductor campus in Gyeonggi Province, a move that serves as a precursor to a threatened 18-day general strike scheduled to begin on 21 May.The unions' Joint Struggle Headquarters expects roughly 37,000 members to attend the rally, representing about 49% of all unionised workers and 29% of Samsung's 128,881 total employees. Because the rally falls on a weekday, union members at sites across the country are expected to take collective leave, and non-union employees have also submitted leave requests in large numbers.
The Core Demands
Three Samsung unions declared a breakdown in negotiations with management last month, and talks have remained frozen since. Their central demands include abolishing the cap on performance-based bonuses and distributing 15% of annual operating profit to workers. With the company's expected operating profit of around 300 trillion won this year, unions value the package at roughly 40 to 45 trillion won.Contingency Plans and Supply Chain Risk
Samsung has activated a contingency plan to maintain semiconductor fabrication and filed a provisional injunction with the Suwon District Court seeking to block what it considers illegal actions, including occupying production lines and obstructing safety systems. The company has urged essential personnel across 143 parts of its semiconductor business and AI centres to report for work as normal.Industry officials warn that normal production cannot be sustained for more than a week if the full union walks out. The union estimates a strike could cause between 20 and 30 trillion won in production losses. TrendForce has noted a prolonged strike could disrupt supply of memory chips, display driver ICs, and power management ICs, potentially pushing up prices and extending lead times into the third quarter.
Duelling Rallies
Adding tension, the Samsung Electronics Shareholder Action Committee plans a counter-rally at the same location beginning at 10 a.m., arguing the union's demands undermine shareholder value. Police say the likelihood of a clash is low, as the shareholders' gathering should wrap up before the union rally begins in earnest. The Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency will close an eight-lane road near the campus in both directions.Published April 23, 2026 at 2:05pm
