By Joyce Lee

SEOUL (Reuters). Syndicated workers at Samsung Electronics (OTC) are threatening a strike that would have an unheard of impact on the company if they don’t get their demands for a better pay package and working conditions.

After the government’s arbitration failed earlier in this week, union representatives staged a protest near Samsung (KS) headquarters in Seoul. The union representatives are calling for a reduction in wage gap among workers, better paid leave and improved health benefits.

Kim Hang-yeol (head of one the four unions that represent workers at Samsung Electronics) stated, “There are many choices, but one is a strike.”

We will fight for wage negotiations and collective bargaining not just with Samsung Electronics but all the unions affiliated to Samsung.”

Officials from the Union sought to meet with top executives of the conglomerate’s largest chipmaker and the world’s leading smartphone maker, in order to have a face-to-face meeting.

It is unclear what the potential effects of this union on company operations will be as one of four largest, National Samsung Electronics Union members has approximately 4,500 members. This represents about 4% or the total 114,373 country employees.

Union members also fear antagonizing the public in a moment of rising discontent about working conditions and unfair pay.

“We don’t want a strike on a chip-line. Lee Hyun-kuk said that if I told you we wanted to stop a chips line, it would turn us into a public enemy.”

The unions were unable to provide details about how many chip-distribution members they have.

Samsung Electronics stated in a statement that it continues to dialogue with unions and makes every effort to reach an agreement.

The 1969-founded company remained unaffected by unionization until 2010. Jay Y. Lee, the Vice Chairman of the company was adamant that he would “establish a solid labour-management culture.”

Taeyoon, Yonsei University’s Professor of Economics, stated that South Korea’s economic and cultural situation had changed. Samsung Electronics was unaffected by union activity in the past. Unions will likely find it more difficult to strike due to their negative view of strong labour response.