Samsung Electronics' largest labor union, the Samsung Group's Super Union, is demanding the restoration of posts from the NowTalk bulletin board on the company's intranet homepage. The union argues that the removal of these posts limits the union's promotional activities, which are guaranteed under collective agreements.
On August 24, the Super Union sent a formal request regarding the NowTalk changes to Yeong-hyeon Jeon, head of Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions (DS) division, and Myung-gu Yeo, head of the People Team.
NowTalk is an intranet bulletin board used by Samsung Electronics employees. The company revamped NowTalk on August 14, citing the implementation of revised telecommunications laws. The changes included transitioning from an anonymous posting system to a real-name system and preventing NowTalk posts from being directly displayed on the intranet homepage.
The Super Union has expressed no disagreement with the shift to a real-name system. They support the company's intention to protect employees from slander and the dissemination of unverified information while fostering a culture of mutual respect in communication.
However, the union pointed out that the decision to exclude NowTalk posts from the homepage is a separate issue from the real-name system change. They argue that the revised telecommunications law, which addresses the distribution of false and manipulated information and related liability, is not directly related to the visibility or accessibility of intranet posts.
The Super Union stated, "Unlike the real-name system change, the decision to exclude the bulletin board from the homepage is a business judgment by the company, not a legal obligation."
The union also cited the collective agreement that guarantees promotional activities for the union. Article 9, Section 1 of the Samsung Electronics labor-management collective agreement allows for the posting of union promotional materials on the NowTalk intranet.
The Super Union emphasized, "Even if the right to post is formally maintained, if the content does not reach union members, it is difficult to ensure the substance of the promotional activities guaranteed by the agreement." They argue that reduced accessibility to the bulletin board could diminish the effectiveness of the union's announcements and promotional materials reaching employees.
In response to the company's indication that this issue could be discussed in the 2027 collective bargaining agenda, the Super Union is calling for prompt negotiations. They believe the issue should be resolved through discussions between labor and management rather than waiting for the next collective bargaining session.
The Super Union has officially requested that the company restore the NowTalk posts to the intranet homepage in their original format. They have also asked for a response from the company regarding their demands by August 28.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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