SEOUL — Samsung Electronics and its labor union started talks on Monday in a last-ditch bid to avert the biggest strike in the tech giant's history, amid concerns that a walkout by more than 45,000 workers could hit South Korea's economy and disrupt global supply chains.

Samsung Electronics and its labor union are set for what could be their final wage negotiations Monday before a planned strike, following a rare public apology

South Korea's PM warned of "unimaginable" economic damage. The union wants 15% of operating profit. Samsung has offered 10%. The deadline is May 21.

While crisis has put South Korea on edge, government threatened to order arbitration