Samsung Electronics' labor union nears majority status amid pay disputes, particularly in semiconductor division

The number of members in Samsung Electronics' largest labor union is rapidly increasing, nearing the threshold to become the company's first single majority union. This surge is primarily driven by dissatisfaction among employees, particularly in the Device Solutions (DS) division (semiconductors), regarding the current performance-based pay (OPI) system. Employees are questioning the transparency of the OPI calculation, which uses the Economic Value Added (EVA) method, and are advocating for a system similar to SK Hynix, where 10% of operating profit is distributed as performance pay. The union's growth comes despite Samsung's record-high performance, with a significant portion of operating profit attributed to the DS division. While the union is already part of ongoing wage negotiations for 2026, achieving majority status would grant it sole bargaining power.