Samsung Electronics union: 84% of members oppose Gwangju fab; call for tripartite talks

South Korea's largest labor union at Samsung Electronics has voiced strong opposition to the company's plan to build a second semiconductor fabrication plant in Gwangju. The Samsung Group Trans-Enterprise Labor Union, representing the majority of Samsung Electronics workers, stated that 84% of its members voted against the Gwangju fab expansion in a recent survey.

The union has declared the Gwangju fab's second phase construction as an agenda item for negotiations in 2027. They argue that the project carries the potential for significant changes in working conditions and could lead to large-scale personnel reassignments, necessitating a broader discussion.

In response to these concerns, the union is advocating for a tripartite consultation. This proposed meeting would include representatives from the government, Samsung Electronics management, and the labor union itself. The goal is to collaboratively address the implications of the new plant and ensure that workers' rights and conditions are protected throughout the process.