Recently, the Super-enterprise Union of Samsung Group issued an official letter, urging Samsung Electronics to lift existing restrictions on the use of generative artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT, within the company. Representing workers from five Samsung subsidiaries, the union delivered this letter to Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and the head of the Business Support Task Force, Jeong Hyun-ho, on October 17th.
It is understood that Samsung Electronics previously restricted the use of these AI tools due to concerns about security risks, fearing that sensitive information could be leaked. However, the union believes that such restrictions not only hinder the company's competitiveness but also affect the efficiency of its employees. In the letter, the union pointed out, "A company aspiring to be world-class should naturally use the best tools and keep up with the times. We need to foster a culture of efficient work; please lift the restrictions to enable the use of artificial intelligence."
The union also emphasized in the letter that the crisis Samsung is facing is not just an issue for individual employees but a significant event that could impact the entire Korean business community. In addition to calling for the lifting of AI restrictions, the union also urged radical reforms in personnel and performance guarantee systems. The union criticized the current personnel system, stating that it has deprived employees of incentives and rewards for promotion. "Since the introduction of the new personnel system, many employees feel there is no reason to continue striving, as the rewards for promotion have almost disappeared," the union stated, "To innovate organizational culture, we must start with the personnel system."
To restore employees' work motivation, the union called for the removal of minimum wage caps and the establishment of a reasonable promotion system for each position. "Please remove the minimum wage cap and set up a reasonable promotion system for each role, allowing employees to once again aspire for salary and development opportunities," the union demanded.
Regarding the performance guarantee system, the union requested improvements in the salary structure, an increase in basic wages, and ensuring that the Over-Performance Incentive (OPI) truly functions as a performance bonus. They also called for the establishment of a new compensation system, such as Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
The union issued a warning about the consequences of this issue: "Pressure accumulates to a point of eruption, and many warning signs have already appeared," they emphasized, "The union is not an obstacle but a partner."
It is worth mentioning that the Super-enterprise Union was established in February of this year, covering multiple subsidiary unions including Samsung Electronics DX (Device Experience) Union, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance's Ribbon Union, Samsung Display's Open Union, and Samsung Bioepis' Win-Win Union.
As of now, Samsung Electronics has not publicly responded to the union's demands. The subsequent developments of this incident could have profound implications for Samsung and the entire Korean business community.
Key Points:
- 🤖 The union demands the lifting of restrictions on the use of generative AI tools to enhance the company's competitiveness.
- 📈 The union calls for reforms in personnel and performance guarantee systems to restore employees' work motivation.
- ⚠️ The union warns that if their demands are not met, it could lead to larger problems.