Samsung Electronics union head Jin Yoon-seok announces the establishment of the union during a Federation of Korean Trade Unions rally at the National Assembly on Yeouido, Seoul, Saturday. Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo



Workers at Samsung Electronics launched a union at the company, Saturday, under one of Korea's labor umbrella groups, signaling a new chapter in the company's 50-year history without any "effective" group representing them.



Analysts said Sunday it will be the first union at Samsung Electronics to have leverage over management; but opinions were mixed over how the fourth such entity at the company ― although the biggest and first under the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) ― will affect the technology giant, which has built its success on a "no-union" policy.



Some expressed worries over uncertainties stemming from the union, while others voiced that it was essential at a time when the company's main businesses were entering "maturity."



The official launch was under the auspices of the FKTU, one of two largest umbrella unions in Korea along with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.



"So far, the company has been attributing its growth to excellent management, while workers were suffering from harsh labor conditions and unfair treatment," union leader Jin Yoon-seok said. "It is time for us to understand that our rights must be obtained by our efforts. They are not a gift from the management."



The three other unions at Samsung Electronics were all established last year, but each have less than 40 members.



The union submitted an establishment application to Suwon city government Nov. 11 and earned approval two days later, meaning it is able to exercise its rights guaranteed under the law, such as collective bargaining.



Its first goal is to secure more than 10,000 members and so will begin a recruiting campaign from today.



"It is the de-facto first union at Samsung Electronics," said Park Sang-in, a professor at Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration. "Since it is backed by the umbrella FKTU and the Korean Metal Workers Union, it is natural to think that it union will expand in the near future."



Park described the union's establishment as a process of "normalization," saying it was "an opportunity for Samsung Electronics to become a global standard bearer in not only its businesses but also labor relations."



"Samsung Electronics' main businesses of chips, smartphones and home appliances are all entering a maturing period, in which growth slows and labor disputes grow," Park said. "In such a situation, it is better for Samsung to have a partner that can work through these issues with management."



Others said the union's launch will be additional burden on Samsung Electronics.



"Under Korea's rigid labor-management relations, many manufacturers here have been reeling from unions,' excessive industrial action," said an official at a domestic conglomerate. "We cannot rule out the possibility that the Samsung union will follow in their footsteps and cast more uncertainty on Samsung Electronics."

