Last Year, Cook Workforce Halved Compared to 2017
Average Number of Meals per Person Six Times Higher in Public Institutions
Co-op "Current Operation of Reduced School Cafeterias Is Sufficient"
On the afternoon of the 26th, Chumo, a cook (43), whom we met at the Seoul National University Student Union building in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, said this while looking at the campus cafeteria packed with students. The interior of the cafeteria, which had a few scattered empty seats, was filled with students coming for lunch in less than 10 minutes.
The longest line that day was undoubtedly at the 'Cheonwon-ui Siksha (1,000 Won Meal)' corner. Four cooks assigned to this corner were busy serving bean sprout soup and side dishes, but the line of students extending to the exit showed no sign of shortening.
Chumo said, "About 5,200 people eat here daily, and over 3,000 students come during lunchtime alone. Even with part-time workers fully mobilized, only four people are assigned to one corner, which is realistically too few to handle so many students."
On the 26th, students are having lunch at the Seoul National University Student Union Building in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. [Photo by Seohee Lee]
On the 26th, students are having lunch at the Seoul National University Student Union Building in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. [Photo by Lee Seohee]
Staff Halved During COVID-19... 400 Students per Cook
In the era of high prices, the number of students using Seoul National University's 'Cheonwon-ui Siksha,' which offers a meal for 1,000 won, is increasing, but the shortage of staff is intensifying the hardships of the cooks. The union insists that the number of cooks, which was drastically reduced during COVID-19, should be restored to normal, but the Seoul National University Cooperative (Co-op) argues that since some cafeterias and corners have been closed after COVID-19, the current staff is sufficient for operation.
According to the Seoul National University branch of the National University Labor Union and the National School Irregular Workers Union on the 27th, the number of cooks assigned to the Seoul National University Student Union building last year was 25, which is less than half compared to 2017 (52) before COVID-19.
Accordingly, the average number of students served per cook has increased. Last year, the number of students served per cook working at the 'Cheonwon-ui Siksha (lunch)' corner at Seoul National University was 400. This is six times the number at public institutions such as Seoul National University Hospital (60), three times that of elementary and secondary school cafeterias (110), and twice that of the Seoul National University Student Union building (200).
One cook said, "Because there are too few staff, we have to cook in the morning, boil soup at lunch, and do everything from cooking to serving. Handling heavy utensils hurriedly or touching hot dishes frantically often causes injuries to shoulders and lower back."
Co-op: Many Cafeterias Closed, Current Staff Is Enough
The union and the Co-op have been engaged in a tense tug-of-war over staff recruitment. The union has been holding picket protests and signature campaigns in front of the Seoul National University Student Union building since the 18th of this month, demanding the restoration of staff reduced during COVID-19. About 930 students participated in the signature campaign over five days from the 18th to the 22nd.
Lee Chang-su, head of the Seoul National University branch of the University Labor Union, said, "We have been consistently requesting staff recruitment from the Co-op for three years, but fewer than 10 people have been added across all 10 cafeterias at Seoul National University. About 20 people will retire after exceeding the retirement age next year," adding, "Currently, union members cannot even take annual leave even if they get injured."
Picket protest at the Seoul National University branch of the National University Labor Union. [Photo by National University Labor Union]
The Co-op claims that since campus cafeterias have been operating on a reduced scale after COVID-19, no further staff recruitment is necessary. Some cafeterias and corners, including the basement cafeteria of the Student Union building and snack corners, were closed during COVID-19, and some cafeterias have shifted to being operated by external companies, so they believe the current staff is sufficient for operation.
A Co-op official explained, "We reduced the number of serving windows in some cafeterias from four to three and have reduced dinner service at other cafeterias including the Student Union building. Additionally, to ease the workload of cooks, we do not prepare heavy dishes such as those cooked on iron plates or in earthen pots, and we ensure they have holidays on public holidays." He added, "Considering the overall situation on campus, we believe the current staff is sufficient and do not see an increase in workload."
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