Settlement of Nowon Service Corporation Strike That Caused Confusion at Nowon District Office

Demand for extension of retirement age to 65 for 157 No won-gu Service Corporation branch permanent contract general workers, including about 50 in senior-friendly jobs; labor dispute starting June 23 resolved after 40 days

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The labor union strike at Nowon Service Corporation, which had thrown Nowon District Office into chaos and faced criticism, has been withdrawn.

Nowon District Office (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced on the afternoon of the 2nd that the labor dispute, which began on June 23rd demanding the conversion of 157 indefinite-term contract workers of the Nowon Service Corporation branch to regular positions and the extension of the retirement age to 65 for about 50 workers in elderly-friendly jobs, was resolved after about 40 days.

The district explained that labor and management reached a smooth agreement at the final negotiation held in the district office's planning situation room that day.

The finalized agreement includes forming a labor-management-government T/F team to continue discussions on the conversion of indefinite-term contract workers to regular positions.

Also, the retirement age for elderly-friendly jobs such as cleaning, security, and parking will not be extended; instead, those reaching the retirement age of 60 will be newly hired as fixed-term workers for up to three years after an annual review.

Additionally, to improve poor working conditions, overtime pay will include a certain number of hours in the base salary calculation, holiday leave pay will be 120% of the base salary, and hazard pay, special overtime meal allowances, and clothing allowances will be provided.

This agreement came amid legal actions taken by Nowon District Office, including a provisional injunction to ban protests filed with the Seoul Northern District Court, and public opinion rapidly deteriorated not only among residents but also nationwide, questioning "Is this a government?" as Mayor Oh Seung-rok was unable to work in his office for about 40 days.

Accordingly, with the labor-management agreement on this day, the union lifted its occupation protest in the first-floor lobby and the corridor of the mayor’s office on the fifth floor of the district office.

Both labor and management said, “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and concern caused to the residents during this time,” and “Labor and management will do their best to improve services for the residents going forward.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.