A Samsung Electronics union in South Korea will begin escalating strike action next week by staging the first ever walkout over demands for higher wages, union officials said on Wednesday.
The National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU), which has about 28,000 members, or more than a fifth of the company's total workforce, said it will stop work for one day on June 7 as part of broader protest measures.
Samsung Electronics said in a statement on Wednesday: "We will sincerely engage in discussions with the union."
Responding to Wednesday's proposed strike, a coalition of five unions at Samsung affiliates including another Samsung Electronics union questioned the intention behind the strike plan, indicating they would not join the move.
Shares of Samsung Electronics closed down 3.1% on Wednesday, compared with the benchmark KOSPI's 1.7% fall.
Persons:
Son Woo, mok, NSEU, Wednesday's, Jay Y, Lee
Organizations:
Samsung, Samsung Electronics, National Samsung Electronics Union, South, Workers
Locations:
Seoul, South Korea, Hwaseong