12.9% of School Non-Regular Workers Join Strike... Meal Services Suspended at 1 in 3 Schools

Education Support Staff in Seoul, Incheon, Gangwon, Sejong, and North Chungcheong Begin Strike

On November 20, the first strike by non-regular workers responsible for school meals and after-school care at kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools across the country saw a participation rate of 12.9% in five regions, including Seoul. Due to the general strike on this day, meal services were suspended at 33.0% of the schools.

According to the Ministry of Education, as of 11:00 a.m. on November 20, 6,921 out of 53,598 education support staff members affiliated with five regional offices of education (12.9%) participated in the strike.

Ministry of Education

By region, Gangwon had the highest number of participants at 1,797, followed by Seoul (1,451), Incheon (1,446), North Chungcheong (1,352), and Sejong (874). Only one person participated in the strike at the 15 national schools in these regions.

Out of 3,298 schools in these regions that provide meal services, 1,089 schools (33.0%) suspended meal operations.

Among them, 1,055 schools provided alternative meals. There were 34 schools where meal services were not provided due to adjustments to the academic schedule or other reasons.

Meal care services for elementary students were suspended at 25 schools, accounting for 1.6% of all schools operating after-school care classes.

Out of a total of 1,480 schools operating after-school care classes, 132 schools had staff members participating in the strike. Kindergarten care services were not provided at 20 schools (1.9%).

The National School Irregular Workers' Solidarity Council announced plans to hold additional strikes in Gwangju, South Jeolla, North Jeolla, and Jeju on November 21; in Gyeonggi, Daejeon, and South Chungcheong on December 4; and in South Gyeongsang, North Gyeongsang, Daegu, Busan, and Ulsan on December 5.

The Ministry of Education stated, "Together with the 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education nationwide, we will do our utmost to reach a collective wage agreement this year."