SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — A labor union representing part-time workers held a protest on Monday in central Seoul against the South Korean unit of McDonald’s, calling on the international fast food giant to take the forthcoming contract negotiations seriously.
During a press conference in support for the global day of action for fast food workers held by the Arbeit Workers Union in front of the Sinchon location of the fast food chain, the group slammed McDonald’s, saying, “McDonald’s seems to take its workers for granted.”
Lee, a committee chairman of the group responsible for the labor negotiations with the fast food giant, said, “Arbeit (part-time jobs) aren’t a phase, and are becoming lifetime jobs for some people.
“McDonald’s, a company that represents the service industry, should set a precedent.”
One member of the group, who works at one of McDonald’s Seoul branches, said, “Compared to McDonald’s restaurants in other countries, I think we deliver food faster and of better quality, but workers get paid around 17,000 won per hour in Europe or the U.S., but only 6,470 won in South Korea.
Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)