[비즈한국] A prolonged standoff appears likely at Samsung Biologics207940, where labor and management are currently in conflict. The labor union, following a meeting with the CEO, stated that it cannot accept the settlement proposal offered by the company.
The Samsung Biologics Sangsaeng (Mutual Growth) Branch of the Samsung Group Super-Corporate Labor Union (Samsung Biologics Sangsaeng Union) announced the results of a meeting held with the CEO on the 25th. It is reported that the union leadership met with company executives, including John Rim, CEO and President of Samsung Biologics, and Lee Kyu-ho, Executive Vice President and Head of the People Center, around 2:00 PM on the 25th.
At the meeting, the company presented measures including: △improving the operation of the mental health center, △strengthening transparency in the HR system, △discussing employment rules and HR policies, and △providing bonuses and a labor-management mutual growth fund.
Regarding the operation of the mental health center, the company promised to strengthen its independence and to listen to union opinions and reflect them in deliberations when disciplining union members. However, the union pointed out that these proposals lacked progress as no concrete methods for enhancing independence were discussed. A union official stated, "Even under the current system, it is already possible to hear union opinions when disciplining members," adding, "We cannot accept the current proposal as the union needs to participate in the disciplinary decision-making process to ensure objectivity and fairness."
Regarding the company’s proposal to obtain union consent when making disadvantageous changes to employment rules, the union assessed it as meaningless, noting that legally, consent from the chairperson of a majority union is already a mandatory requirement. As for the company’s proposal for the union to attend quarterly meetings presided over by the Center Head and the CEO, and to discuss HR policies in monthly meetings with the CEO, the union stated it could accept this only if transparent and objective data is provided in advance. Park Jae-sung, chairperson of the Samsung Biologics Sangsaeng Union, remarked, "The company's proposal fails to address the need for transparency in the HR system or reflect the sentiments of the employees, causing great anger among our members. We question whether the company is engaging in these negotiations with sincerity."
The labor-management conflict has intensified since the union uncovered documents suggesting the Samsung Group’s Business Support Task Force interfered in Samsung Biologics’ HR evaluations, evidence of personnel disadvantages for visitors to the in-house psychological counseling center, and allegations of HR management targeting union leadership. On the 6th, the Samsung Biologics Sangsaeng Union discovered that personal information of employees was set to "public" during a transfer of shared folders on the company’s internal network and reported it to the company. However, the union claims the company retaliated by attempting to break into the union office to seize office PCs, thereby obstructing union activities. On the 10th, the union filed a complaint with the Incheon Yeonsu Police Station against an executive surnamed Song and others on charges of obstruction of business, special trespassing, and unfair labor practices (Related article: Samsung Biologics Employee Personal Information Leak Controversy, Will a Solution for Labor-Management Conflict Be Found?).
Chairperson Park said, "I have completed my statement as a complainant," adding, "I heard that the police plan to summon and investigate the accused, but since there are many subjects involved, it seems it will take some time to coordinate schedules and conduct the actual investigations." A Samsung Biologics official stated, "We are currently continuing to push for management meetings centered around the CEO," and added, "The company plans to continue making active efforts for dialogue to ensure a harmonious labor-management relationship."