Translation result.
Samsung Biologics sought a preliminary injunction to bar strike activity by its labor union as the union prepared to strike, but the union said it will go forward with the planned general strike.
Industry sources said on April 2 that Samsung Biologics filed the injunction against its union at the Incheon District Court the previous day.
The union, however, said it will hold its rallies and strike actions as scheduled despite the company’s court filing.
The union characterized the company’s move as an attempt to neutralize the strike and to block the constitutionally protected right to collective action. It argued that if continuous production operations are used to prohibit strikes, the same reasoning would prevent many manufacturers with continuous processes from striking.
The union said more than 95% of eligible members participated in a strike authorization vote, and 95% of those voters approved the strike.
The labor dispute at Samsung Biologics escalated after wage and collective bargaining talks broke down.
The union is demanding an average 14% pay increase, a one-time incentive payment of 30 million KRW per worker (approximately $22,500), and performance bonuses equal to 20% of operating profit. Management has proposed roughly a 6% wage increase and performance bonuses equivalent to about 10% of operating profit.
The two sides have held roughly 10 rounds of bargaining without reaching an agreement. The union is pressing for face-to-face talks with senior executives, while management says it will continue negotiations.
The union plans to stage rallies and demonstrations this month and to begin a general strike on the 1st of next month.
By Hong-min Kangn
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