"RAM prices have risen after negotiations between Samsung and a union representing many of its workers collapsed - and the union called a strike for next week. The National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) has noticed the extraordinary profits the Korean giant is making thanks to the high price of RAM, and wants the company to boost members' pay with bonuses tied to profits. Talks on that idea have stalled, and pointing out that Samsung pays memory-makers less than peers at SK Hynix hasn't found a receptive ear. The Union therefore plans a strike next week."
"If the industrial action goes ahead, it has the potential to disrupt memory production, which would mean further shortages at a time DRAM is already expensive and hard to acquire due to demand for AI infrastructure. Short-term memory prices have therefore spiked in the last 72 hours - which ironically will just increase Samsung's profit's even more! The Union has accused Samsung of not taking its arguments seriously, and South Korea's government has stepped in with attempts to bring two parties to the table for fresh talks that lawmakers hope will resolve the situation."
"Samsung recently posted almost $40 billion profit for a single quarter, thanks largely to memory sales. That enormous sum, and others like it reported by Korean companies who sell memory and other products in demand from AI builders, caught the attention of Yong-Beom Kim, South Korea's Chief Presidential Secretary for Policy - a ministerial role. Using his personal Facebook page, Kim suggested funneling a portion of AI profits into a "national dividend fund" that can be used to improve South Korea's long-term prospects."
"His post mentions Norway's sovereign wealth fund, which famously siphoned off revenue from oil sales and invested it in shares to create assets worth over $2 trillion."
RAM prices rose after negotiations between Samsung and a union representing many workers collapsed. The National Samsung Electronics Union wants higher pay through bonuses tied to extraordinary profits driven by high RAM prices. Talks stalled, and comparisons with SK Hynix did not persuade Samsung. The union plans a strike next week, which could disrupt memory production. DRAM is already expensive and difficult to acquire because demand from AI infrastructure remains high, and short-term memory prices have spiked in the last 72 hours. The government has intervened to restart talks. Samsung reported nearly $40 billion profit in a quarter, and policy officials proposed using part of AI profits for a national dividend fund modeled on Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.
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