Incheon Airport Security Screening Service Union: "Unilateral Direct Employment Causes Job Insecurity... Stop It"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] The Incheon International Airport Security Screening Service Labor Union urged on the 8th, "The unilateral direct employment push by Incheon International Airport Corporation has rather intensified employment instability," and called to "immediately stop direct employment without agreement."

The Security Screening Service Union held a press conference in front of the Blue House Fountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul, stating, "Instead of forcibly implementing direct employment that only causes harm to everyone, please strive to prepare a new alternative that satisfies all workers."

The Incheon Airport Security Screening Service Union consists of about 760 security screening personnel and separated from the existing union in March. According to the results of the 3rd Incheon Airport Labor-Management Expert Council held at the end of February, these personnel have been assigned to and working for Incheon Airport Security Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Incheon Airport, since May.

Most members of this union joined after the controversial direct employment reference date (May 12, 2017), so they must undergo document screening, aptitude tests, written exams, and interviews through an open competitive process to be converted to direct employment.

The union pointed out, "It was only a few months ago that we were happy to be guaranteed employment stability as regular employees of the subsidiary through a labor-management agreement reached over three years, but the corporation suddenly changed its stance overnight and announced the direct employment plan for security guards to the media," adding, "As a result, about 800 security screening personnel were subjected to competitive recruitment again and thrown into employment instability simply because they joined after the president's visit."

The union continued, "Due to the corporation's unilateral decision, security screening workers have suffered irreparable wounds amid misunderstandings and criticism," and urged, "The corporation president, who caused labor conflicts and divided public opinion, should apologize immediately, and instead of forcibly implementing direct employment that only causes harm to everyone, please strive to prepare a new alternative that satisfies all workers."