Samsung Electronics Union to Proceed with Strike

By KIm Han-joo

SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co.'s union said Wednesday it will proceed with the strike scheduled for later this week, arguing management has rejected a government-mediated proposal.

"The union will proceed with the legally scheduled general strike tomorrow as planned," the company's largest union said.

The two sides have been holding government-mediated talks over performance-based bonuses, with nearly 48,000 workers scheduled to walk off the job for 18 days.

Concerns have grown within the South Korean government that a prolonged union strike could hurt the country's export-driven economy. Semiconductor exports account for roughly 35 percent of the country's total outbound shipments.

Global companies reliant on South Korea's semiconductor supply chain have also expressed concern over potential disruptions.