Ministry of Education Begins Main Negotiations with National and Public University Professors' Union

First Collective Bargaining Negotiation Since the Amendment of the Teacher's Union Act

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education will begin formal collective bargaining with the National Union of Professors at Public Universities (Gukgyojo) on the afternoon of the 6th at the President Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.

This is the first time that the Ministry of Education and a nationwide university faculty union have engaged in collective bargaining. The previous "Teachers' Union Act," which did not recognize the right of university faculty to unionize, was ruled unconstitutional, and this is the first collective bargaining since the Teachers' Union Act was amended in June last year.

The collective bargaining process began last October when Gukgyojo made demands to the Minister of Education. In March, the procedures for collective bargaining and the agenda for practical negotiations were agreed upon, followed by the main negotiations.

The agenda for this negotiation includes providing facility conveniences to the union, university faculty salaries and allowances, safety, health, and accident prevention within universities, and the promotion of legislation for the National University Act and the Higher Education Finance Grant Act.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye stated, "We will sincerely engage in collective bargaining with Gukgyojo and strive to actively implement the agreed matters. Through collective bargaining, let us cooperate to improve the working conditions of university faculty and enhance the quality of higher education."