Samsung Bio Union Announces Second General Strike on the 26th… Company Says It Cannot Accept 15% of Operating Profit as Performance Bonus

The Samsung Biologics Coexistence Labor Union (hereinafter “the union”) has warned of a second general strike for three weeks starting on the 26th. The company stated that it was regrettable that, despite engaging in negotiations in good faith, no agreement was reached. It emphasized that it is difficult to accept demands from the union, such as distributing 15% of operating profit as performance bonuses.

Through its “Struggle Directive No. 2” released on the 2nd, the Samsung Biologics union claimed, “The union kept the door open for negotiations and refrained from collective action during three rounds of post-adjustment.” It added, “However, the company ultimately failed to present a substantive proposal for settlement.” The union further stated, “To secure victory in the 2026 wage and collective bargaining agreement, the union will raise the level of collective action again and proceed with a second general strike.”

The Samsung Biologics union stated, “In the third post-adjustment on the 1st of this month, the company insisted on the same (wage increase proposal) 6.2% as in March,” adding, “All members will simultaneously embark on an intensified lawful struggle.”

The management and labor sides at Samsung Biologics failed to reach an agreement during the third post-adjustment on the 1st. On that day, the Samsung Biologics union explained, “Although an additional proposal was presented by (the company) in the (third) post-adjustment, the gap between the two sides was significant.” It added, “The adjustment committee determined that proceeding with a fourth post-adjustment would be meaningless, and since no additional meeting has been scheduled, the possibility of collective action is high.”

The Samsung Biologics management stated that it is very regrettable that an agreement could not be reached with the union, but noted that the union’s demands are at a level that is difficult to accept.

The Samsung Biologics management said, “Samsung Biologics has engaged sincerely and earnestly in dozens of negotiations, as well as adjustment and post-adjustment procedures by the Labor Relations Commission, in order to smoothly conclude the 2026 wage and collective bargaining agreement with the union.” It added, “We deeply regret that no agreement has been reached to date.”

It further stated, “Today (the 2nd), the union announced a second general strike for the purpose of pushing through its existing demands,” explaining, “The approximately 15% overall fixed wage increase demanded by the union, the distribution of 15% of operating profit as performance bonuses, and agenda items related to personnel matters and management authority are at a level that is difficult to accept.”

It added, “The average salary of Samsung Biologics employees is approximately 114 million won per person, which is the highest among domestic pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. This remains true even after applying the company’s 2026 wage increase proposal (6.2%).” The company further noted, “In response to the union’s collective bargaining demands, Samsung Biologics made its best efforts to broadly reflect the union’s requests by proposing a plan to expand the agreement to a total of 74 clauses, accepting the establishment of 33 new clauses in addition to revisions and supplements to the 41st clauses signed in 2024.”