Samsung Biologics union to hold vote on leaving Samsung Group's cross-company union

The Samsung Biologics union plans to hold a vote on whether to withdraw from Samsung Group's cross-company union, citing difficulties coordinating joint action among member companies with differing interests.

Park Jae-sung, head of the Samsung Biologics branch of the Samsung Group cross-company union, said Monday the union would decide on a possible change to its organizational structure through a general assembly and electronic vote.

The union is scheduled to hold a general assembly from June 16 to 18. The leadership plans to conduct a member vote on withdrawing from the Samsung Group cross-company union tentatively from June 24 to 28.

For the withdrawal to take effect, more than half of all members must participate in the vote, and at least two-thirds of those who vote must approve the measure. If the threshold is met, the Samsung Biologics union would leave the cross-company union and operate independently.

The Samsung Group cross-company union includes the unions of Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display and Samsung Fire, in addition to Samsung Biologics.

The vote schedule remains subject to change. "Working within the cross-company union, we have come to feel that each company has different interests and that joint action is not easy," Park said. "Withdrawing from the cross-company union will not significantly change our course of action."

The Samsung Biologics union staged a partial strike involving about 60 workers from April 28 to 30, followed by a full strike with roughly 2,800 participants from May 1 to 5.

Since May 6, the union has been carrying out a work-to-rule campaign, refusing overtime and holiday shifts. Management and the union have held several rounds of negotiations but have yet to reach an agreement.

Park said the union submitted a revised proposal to management last week and has sent a formal letter requesting that the company return to the bargaining table.