Samsung Super Union Faces Crisis as Majority Status Hangs in Balance Amidst Division Disputes

Samsung's pioneering super union, established to represent a majority of the company's workforce, faces a critical challenge to its majority status. The union's position is threatened by a significant exodus of members from the Device Solutions (DX) division, responsible for products like smartphones and TVs. This departure stems from widespread dissatisfaction with the 2026 wage negotiations, which were perceived as heavily favoring the semiconductor (DS) division.

Negotiations for 2026 wages saw the DS division employees receiving substantial special performance bonuses, reportedly around 600 million Korean won per person for memory business unit staff. In contrast, DX division employees received compensation closer to 6 million won. This disparity, coupled with significant bonuses for employees in the loss-making non-memory business unit, fueled resentment within the DX division.

The discontent was starkly evident during the ratification vote for the provisional agreement. While the super union, predominantly composed of DS division members, approved the deal with an 80.6% majority, the national Samsung Electronics union (Jeonsamno), primarily representing DX employees, saw only 21.1% in favor. Another DX-focused union, 'Donghaeng,' reported 99.5% opposition from its members.

Conversely, unions representing DX employees are experiencing rapid membership growth. Jeonsamno's membership surged from approximately 16,000 to over 20,000 in early June, while 'Donghaeng' has grown from around 3,000 at the start of wage negotiations to over 21,000. If the super union loses its majority status, its bargaining power with management could diminish significantly, potentially shifting the focus of future negotiations to the concerns of the DX division.

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The wage negotiations focused heavily on the DS division, leading to dissatisfaction among DX division members.