Samsung Electronics, Labor Union Resume Pay Talks to Avoid Strike

Samsung Electronics and its South Korean labor union will resume pay negotiations with a government mediator, the union said, in a move that could ease concerns over a potentially disruptive strike at the technology giant, Heekyong Yang reported for Reuters.

South Korea's labor minister urged the Samsung to take an active role in resolving the dispute through dialogue. (Photo: Samsung)

The union said in a statement that Samsung Electronics had replaced the company’s representative in the negotiations. The two sides were also expected to hold a separate meeting later that day, though the union did not disclose the agenda.

Samsung Electronics declined to comment on either meeting.

The announcement came shortly after Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee publicly apologized to customers and the public over the labor dispute.

“I sincerely apologize to customers around the world for causing anxiety and concern due to issues within our company,” Lee said in his first public remarks on the dispute, adding that he also “deeply bows in apology to the public.”

After pay negotiations broke down earlier this week, South Korea’s labor minister met Samsung management and urged the company to take an active role in resolving the dispute through dialogue.