School Irregular Workers Resume Wage Talks... Possibility of "All-Out Strike at Start of New Semester"

Eighth Round of Wage Talks Held on January 8, First Negotiations of the Year
Strike Possible if Key Issues Remain Unresolved Before Lunar New Year

Wage negotiations between the National School Irregular Workers’ Solidarity Council (Hakbi Solidarity), which represents school meal and care workers, and the education authorities have resumed. Hakbi Solidarity, which went on strike last year, has hinted at the possibility of an “all-out strike at the start of the new semester” if the negotiations do not proceed smoothly.

According to Hakbi Solidarity on January 9, the eighth round of wage negotiations between the union and the education authorities was held at 1:00 p.m. the previous day at the Secretariat of the Council of Provincial and Metropolitan Superintendents of Education in Sejong. The negotiations had been on hold since December 21, 2025, as both Hakbi Solidarity and the management took a cooling-off period, but they have now resumed in earnest this year. A representative from Hakbi Solidarity stated, “No significant progress was made in the proposals during this round of negotiations,” but added, “Negotiations will be held once a week moving forward.”

Yonhap News Agency

The main issue in the wage negotiations is the “holiday bonus fixed-rate system.” Currently, a fixed amount of 1.85 million won per year is divided and paid twice, for Lunar New Year and Chuseok. Hakbi Solidarity insists that this system should be changed to a “fixed-rate system” in which the bonus is paid as a certain percentage of the base salary. The union argues that, unlike education support staff, employees of local governments and central government agencies already receive their holiday bonuses according to a fixed-rate system. However, the management is reportedly concerned about future financial burdens, citing the trend of reduced education budgets. In addition, there are disagreements between the union and management over measures for unpaid leave during school breaks, increases in hazard allowances, and regional disparities in allowances.

Previously, Hakbi Solidarity launched a nationwide relay strike in November 2025 after wage negotiations broke down. At schools affected by the strike, regular meals were not provided, and substitute meals such as bread and eggs were served instead.

If negotiations do not proceed smoothly during the winter break in January and February, there is a possibility of an “all-out strike at the start of the new semester.” If this strike materializes, it will be the first such action in three years since 2023. Hakbi Solidarity stated, “To avoid an all-out strike at the start of the new semester, superintendents must step in and reach an agreement before Lunar New Year,” adding, “If the key issues are not resolved before Lunar New Year, a strike in March and prolonged labor-management conflict will be unavoidable.”