Overview
- Management and the Samsung Electronics labour union reached a tentative wage and bonus deal late Wednesday that paused an 18‑day strike and sent the agreement to a vote running roughly May 22–27.
- The pact includes a 6.2% base‑pay rise and a new semiconductor bonus pool reported at about 10.5% of chip‑division operating profit with the removal of the 50% payout cap.
- Union documents say special bonuses will be paid largely in company stock over at least 10 years and will be conditional on very high chip‑division profit targets such as more than 200 trillion won for 2026–2028.
- Samsung shares jumped about 6–8% after the deal, while a shareholders’ group has vowed legal action arguing the operating‑profit linked payouts lack the required shareholder approval; a Suwon court injunction requiring essential staffing of about 7,087 workers also remains in force.
- About two‑thirds of union members cast ballots on the first day, making the ratification vote the immediate hinge for whether production risk is permanently averted or the dispute returns to the bargaining table.