Samsung union threatens 18-day strike over bonus caps, risking global memory-chip supply

Nearly 48,000 Samsung workers, mostly chip plant staff, threaten an 18-day walkout over demands to abolish the 50% cap on annual bonuses and to set aside 15% of operating profit for a worker bonus pool, with changes binding beyond this year. Samsung offered one-off higher bonuses this year and argued against removing the cap; rival SK Hynix has higher bonus practices after removing caps, fueling union pressure. If the strike proceeds, it could disrupt DRAM/NAND production amid a global shortage and harm Korea’s economy, though a court injunction requires essential staffing of about 7,087 workers.