Samsung Biologics strike: Union, management resume talks Monday under govt mediation
Synopsis
Samsung Biologics is facing its first-ever labour strike, with 2,800 unionised workers walking out over a 14% pay hike demand and a ₩30 million cash bonus — while the company warns the walkout could cost ₩640 billion, roughly half its Q1 sales. Government-mediated talks resume Monday in a last-ditch effort to avert deeper damage.
Key Takeaways
Samsung Biologics and its labour union will resume talks on Monday, 5 May 2025 , under mediation by the Jungbu regional employment and labour office .
The strike, which began on Friday , is the first ever for the Samsung Biologics union, with around 2,800 of 4,000 unionised members participating.
Workers are demanding a 14% increase in base and performance pay, a one-off bonus of ₩30 million (approx.
US$20,389 ) per worker, and bonuses of 20% of annual operating profit.
The company has offered a combined 6.2% pay increase and warned the strike could cause at least ₩640 billion in damage — roughly half of Q1 sales.
The union plans to continue the strike until Tuesday and has also called for transparent personnel management, including union consent on hiring and M&A decisions.
Samsung Biologics, the biotech arm of Samsung Group, has agreed to return to the negotiation table on Monday, 5 May 2025, as a government-mediated effort attempts to resolve the company's first-ever labour strike, now entering its third day. The two sides will renegotiate under the mediation of the Jungbu regional employment and labour office, after an initial round of talks collapsed on Thursday, according to a corporate official.
Background to the Strike
Unionised workers of Samsung Biologics launched the walkout on Friday, marking the first strike in the company's history. Approximately 2,800 of the 4,000 unionised members have participated in the collective action, according to the union. The union has said it plans to continue the strike until Tuesday.
The workers have put forward a set of demands, including a 14 percent increase in both base and performance-related pay, a one-off cash incentive of 30 million won (approximately US$20,389) per worker, and bonuses equivalent to 20 percent of annual operating profit. The company, in contrast, has proposed a combined 6.2 percent increase in base and performance pay.
Why the First Round of Talks Broke Down
The initial arbitration meeting last week ended without progress, reportedly after the labour union demanded that the company replace all of its bargaining committee members as a prerequisite for continuing discussions. The company has characterised this condition as an obstacle to good-faith dialogue.
Point of View
Evaluations, and mergers is the more consequential ask, going well beyond wages into governance. If accepted, it would fundamentally alter management authority at one of Samsung Group's fastest-growing units. The ₩640 billion damage estimate, equivalent to half a quarter's sales, underscores how exposed high-precision biologics manufacturing is to labour disruption — and why management may ultimately blink faster than its public posture suggests.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Samsung Biologics workers on strike?
Samsung Biologics workers launched their first-ever strike on Friday over wage demands, including a 14% increase in base and performance pay, a one-off cash bonus of ₩30 million per worker, and bonuses equal to 20% of annual operating profit. They have also called for fairer and more transparent personnel management practices.
What is the status of Samsung Biologics strike talks?
After the first round of government-mediated talks broke down on Thursday, both sides have agreed to resume negotiations on Monday, 5 May 2025, under the mediation of the Jungbu regional employment and labour office.
How much could the Samsung Biologics strike cost the company?
The company has estimated that the walkout could cause at least ₩640 billion in damage, which is roughly equivalent to half of Samsung Biologics' sales for the first quarter.
How many workers are participating in the Samsung Biologics strike?
Approximately 2,800 of the 4,000 unionised Samsung Biologics workers have joined the strike, according to the labour union.
What additional demands has the Samsung Biologics union made beyond wages?
Beyond pay hikes, the union has proposed a collective bargaining agreement requiring prior union consent on new hiring decisions, personnel evaluations, and decisions related to mergers and acquisitions — a significant expansion of union authority into management functions.
