By Kim Bo-eun
Cafeterias stopped serving meals at 1,929 schools nationwide Thursday after a two-day strike by irregular school workers began.
Workers at 3,294 schools, 16.7 percent of all schools, took part in the walkout on its first day. An estimated 14,266 workers participated, according to the Ministry of Education.
The workers are calling for a raise in the “seniority allowance,” as well as for their positions to be made regular.
“The longer irregular workers work, the greater the pay gap grows with regular workers,” they said. “The seniority allowance must be provided after two years of service, and there should be a 50,000 won ($44) yearly raise.”
Under the status quo, irregular workers start receiving the seniority allowance after working three years, and receive a 20,000 won yearly raise.
There are around 350,000 irregular workers at public schools, including cafeteria workers, administrative staff and special education assistants.
Those who participated in the walkout belong to irregular worker labor unions in 12 regions out of 17 across the nation. Unions in Daegu and North Jeolla Province will take part in the strike today.
Among the 1,929 schools where lunches were not provided, 515 notified students to bring lunchboxes ahead of the strike, 1,149 provided students with bread and milk, 159 ended classes early and 106 held field trips or school concerts.
The irregular workers’ union will join a rally hosted by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, today.