$450,000 Bonuses on the Line: Will Samsung’s Union Vote Pass?

[Anchor] Samsung Electronics union members are voting for a second day on whether to ratify a tentative wage agreement. Turnout topped 74% this morning, strengthening the likelihood the deal will pass, though uncertainties remain. Reporter Ha-rim Koo has the story. [Reporter] The Samsung Electronics union began the yes-or-no vote yesterday (22). On the second day (23), turnout exceeded 70%. The cross-company union’s Samsung Electronics branch reported turnout of 74.27% as of 10:40 a.m. More than 40,000 union members have voted so far. Because most eligible voters are members of the Device Solutions (DS) semiconductor division, analysts largely expect the measure to pass. However, non‑semiconductor divisions have criticized the agreement as rushed, and intra‑union tensions — including so-called labor‑on‑labor conflict — are likely to persist. Voting continues until 10 a.m. on the 27th. Choi Seung-ho, chair of the cross-company union, said he would seek a vote of confidence if the measure is rejected. If the tentative agreement wins final approval, employees in Samsung Electronics’ memory division could receive bonuses of up to KRW 600 million (about $450,000) per person. Calls to tie bonus payouts to operating profit are spreading across the industry. The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) have urged a fair distribution of bonuses and said Samsung should share gains with subcontractors and partner firms. Bonus demands are already spreading to other companies, including Hyundai Motor, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Kakao and LG Uplus. Public debate over fairness and the appropriateness of Samsung’s bonus settlement is likely to continue for some time. This is Ha-rim Koo of Yonhap News TV. [Video edited by Do-i Kim] #SamsungElectronics #SamsungUnionVote #Bonuses #Semiconductors Yonhap News TV — tips and inquiries: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23 Ha-rim Koo (halimkoo@yna.co.kr)