Members of the Arbeit Workers’ Union hold a press conference in front of the headquarters of the local unit of McDonald’s in Seoul on April 26, 2017. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 26 (Korea Bizwire) – A labor union of part-time workers said Wednesday they will begin collective bargaining with the local unit of McDonald’s next month.
The Arbeit Workers’ Union said it has been designated the bargaining agent earlier this month and that it plans to embark on negotiations with the management. The first meeting is slated for May 16.
It marks the first time a labor union was formed to bargain with the fast food giant in South Korea, the union said.
Their key demands include increasing the hourly wage to 10,000 won (US$8.87), improving welfare and guaranteeing union activities, it said.
The union, however, declined to disclose the number of members under the McDonald’s branch, saying it could lead to a possible hunt down by the management.
“We hope McDonald’s will sincerely take part in the negotiation,” said Lee Ga-hyun, chief of the union, during a press conference held in front of McDonald’s Korean bureau in central Seoul.
In response, the local unit of McDonald’s said,”We respect the rights to union activities guaranteed under the law and plan to sincerely participate in the negotiation process based on due procedures.”
(Yonhap)
