First Agreement in Six Years Since 2019
A New Beginning for Coexistence Beyond Conflict
On July 10, Ulleung County and the National Democratic Union of Public Workers held the "2025 Collective Agreement Signing Ceremony" at Ulleung County Office and officially signed the collective agreement.
This agreement goes beyond a simple institutional arrangement and marks a turning point, signifying the resolution of labor-management conflicts and the normalization of labor-management relations.
Since the 2019 agreement, both parties have engaged in multiple rounds of negotiations, mediation, and practical consultations to reach this collective agreement. The significance lies in the fact that the prolonged conflict was resolved through a procedural agreement based on law and principles.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Ulleung County Governor, union leader Choi Rahyun, Ulleung County branch chief Kim Nayoung, as well as key representatives from both labor and management, including the heads of the Planning and Audit Office, Economic and Transportation Policy Office, General Affairs Division, and Finance Division of Ulleung County.
The main points of the agreement include: the introduction of an annual leave advance and savings system; the establishment of long-term service and retirement preparation leave; the introduction of a parental leave system; the creation of family allowance and work-related injury compensation; and the strengthening of recruitment and disciplinary standards.
Choi Rahyun, the union leader, stated, "I deeply appreciate all those who have worked so hard throughout this process. I hope that, based on mutual trust, labor and management will continue to move forward together in good faith," adding, "We will continue our efforts so that labor and management can move in the same direction."
Kim Nayoung, the branch chief, shared, "I am grateful that, throughout the long negotiation process, the county respected the union and worked to improve the rights and interests of public workers, based on trust and communication. The union will continue to protect the rights of public workers and strive to become a better organization."
Governor Nam Hankwon remarked, "I find it very meaningful that this collective agreement was reached through mutual respect and sincere dialogue. I hope this agreement will serve as a starting point for labor-management coexistence and become an important foundation for enhancing the efficiency of Ulleung County's administration and providing responsible, citizen-centered public services."
With this collective agreement, Ulleung County plans to further improve the working conditions of public workers and enhance the quality of administrative services centered on county residents. The county also aims to establish a healthy labor-management relationship through ongoing communication and cooperation, and to take the lead in spreading a culture of mutual growth within the organization.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
