Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Samsung Biologics union strengthens ties with South Korea’s FKTU
Samsung Biologics’ union is building closer ties with the Korean Federation of Trade Unions, while considering whether to join it in the future.
The union has been in a dispute with the company for more than six months over pay increases and changes to its personnel system.
A court expanded the work areas where strikes are restricted from three to nine, blocking a planned full strike that was due to start on October 26.
The union left the Samsung Group’s umbrella union in June after a member vote, and says it has not joined the Korean Federation of Trade Unions.
The union and company plan to resume talks on November 3, which the union describes as final negotiations.
If the talks fail, the union says it will hold strikes in stages.
The dispute matters because the court ruling limits the union’s ability to use a full strike to press its demands.
Samsung Biologics’ union is strengthening cooperation with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) amid a labor dispute with the company.
The union said it has not joined the FKTU but may consider membership in the long term.
The dispute concerns wage increases and changes to the personnel system and has lasted more than six months.
A court ruling expanded the work activities where strikes are restricted, blocking a planned full-scale strike on October 26.
The union and company are due to resume negotiations on November 3, with the union warning it may stage rotating strikes if talks fail.
- Who
- Samsung Biologics’ union and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU). The union is in a dispute with Samsung Biologics management.
- What
- The union is stepping up cooperation with the FKTU and may consider joining it later.
- When
- The report was published on October 30, 2026. Talks are due to resume on November 3.
- Where
- South Korea. The union held a press conference at the National Assembly.
- Why
- The union is seeking support amid a labor dispute over wage increases and personnel-system changes, and in response to expanded court limits on strike activities.
Samsung Biologics’ union
Samsung Biologics management
Strike limits
Samsung Biologics’ union
The union opposed expanding the work activities subject to strike restrictions and protested the court ruling.
Samsung Biologics management
The company sought an expansion of the activities subject to strike restrictions.
Labor dispute
Samsung Biologics’ union
The union is seeking wage increases and changes to the personnel system.
Samsung Biologics management
Not stated.
Samsung Biologics’ union left the Samsung Group’s supra-company union after a membership vote.
The FKTU said its chairman had submitted a petition opposing the company’s request to expand restrictions on strike-related work.
The Seoul High Court expanded the work activities subject to strike restrictions from three to nine.
The union held a press conference protesting the ruling, which blocked its planned full-scale strike that day.
The union and company are due to resume negotiations.
- Court ruling
- Strike-restricted work activities expanded from 3 to 9
- Planned full-scale strike
- October 26, 2026
- Talks to resume
- November 3, 2026
- Union status
- Not an FKTU member; long-term membership may be considered
- Dispute
- Wage increases and personnel-system changes
1 source
What people are saying
I am here to express that the FKTU will stand with the Samsung Biologics workers to protect their legitimate rights and support the struggle of the union and its members.
If the company's argument for expanding the scope of strike restrictions is accepted, I am concerned about how much real right workers will have left to stop providing labor and convey their demands.
We have not joined the FKTU.
In the long term, we can consider it.