Samsung Workers Threaten 18-Day Strike Over 607% Bonus Gap in AI Chip Units
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 16
Samsung Workers Threaten 18-Day Strike Over 607% Bonus Gap in AI Chip Units
15 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 16
More than 45,000 Samsung workers are threatening an 18-day walkout from May 21, a move that could curb memory-chip output and disrupt supplies for AI data centres, smartphones and laptops.
The dispute centers on bonuses: Samsung proposed up to 607% of annual salary for 27,000 memory workers, versus 50% to 100% for 23,000 foundry and system LSI staff whose businesses remain lossmaking.
Union leaders say the disparity is already pushing engineers to transfer internally or leave for rivals such as SK Hynix, undermining Samsung's push to become the logic-chip market's clear No. 1 by 2030.
JPMorgan estimated the strike could cut operating profit by 21 trillion to 31 trillion won and cause about 4.5 trillion won in sales losses, heightening concern in Seoul, among investors and across global supply chains.
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