Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bassexpander]

Is anyone else interested in starting a new (second) association of teachers? I just don't feel comfortable/confident in the group currently claiming (and being cited in newspapers) as representing teachers such as myself.

I know many others feel the same way.

How do we go about starting an association?

*Note to mods -- this is NOT an ATEK thread. This is meant to be its own thing.

[Slaps]

[Bondrock]

Here is what I thought:

To start a non-profit organization (from what I know) we need a 50 million won deposit.

I propose we get 50 long-term residents to each chip in 1 million each and then the 50 of us get together and vote in a president, design a charter, and do all that jazz necessary for a professional association.

I will donate 1 million, but I don't want to be president. I can, however, help to design a charter, set up the association and recruit members.

[cruisemonkey]

Be it resolved that -
Bondrock draught the charter.

Any seconders?

[Bondrock]

i think the first thing, if we can get enough interest, say 25 members (or more) willing to donate 1 million then we should have a meeting and set up a bank account in a trusted member's name to hold the money until there is 50 million.

again, i don't want to hold the money, but someone like TJ or Homer might be good candidates to set up a bank account.

anyone who is willing to PM me I am willing to reveal my true identity in a private message.

[sinsanri]

Before you talk money, the wisest thing to do is send out as many notices as you can to as many foreign teachers as you can and find out if they are seriously intyerested in having an association.

I would make sure you were pretty clear that you are NOT ATEK and that you know what you are doing.

Second, I would have a survey included to see what issues are the most important (I would be against personal visa ownership because of the dangers involved) to curren tteachers, making sure yo know the difference between a wing nut response and a serious reply.

Third, I would set up a legitimate forum that would honestly investigate all complaints and look at the issue from both sides. One of the things I did not like about ATEK is that they wanted an US V. THEM attitude and that is never smart.

The Korean people and gov. would have to be satisfied that NETS are not going to railroad them with phoney complaints and that this assoc. is willing to rebuke its own membership for false reporting of situations.

Fourth, Work stoppages must never be an option, for the people who really get hurt will be the students and their parents and that will hurt the purpose of the assoc.. If you want legitimacy, this assoc. must be seen as one that will avoid using a hammer to get its spoiled way.

This is a two way street and the Korean employers have rights as well, like expecting their employees to show up ready to work, to present quality classes and so on.

Fifth, Get wise counselors (not E1 law professors who confess to being a non-expert on korean law{see ATEK interview with Wagner}) who will help pilot the waters so this assoc. can be beneficial to all, both korean and non, not a select few.

Sixth, Be honest, with yourselves, with teachers, with the koreans. Honesty is the best policy no matter what others may say.

For what its worth, that is my input for now.

[Ruraljuror]

While I completely agree that the current organization is a disaster, I don't know that it *needs* to be replaced.

I'm being serious...Bassex could you explain why you think we need to have a teacher organization and what benefits you could see it offering to teachers? Talk me into this...

The way I see it, anyone who's been here more than a few years has probably gotten set up with a job that they are happy and comfortable in and anyone who is fresh off the boat is going to get screwed sans lube...the way it's always been. And the newbies are either going to leave or stick around a few years, in which case they will have been here long enough that they too will have a good job and won't need help anymore. It's not a horrible system: spend your first 2 years in crappy, abusive jobs to weed out the weak; and those that can tough it out get rewarded with a good job eventually.

Maybe I'm still bitter from the epic E Visa vs F visa war that the other organization started, but I don't feel too strong of an urge to give up 1,000,000 won to help people like buymybook.

[fromtheuk]

I want an effective teacher's organization. I'll give you an example, I take 2 sick days for the first time in 2 years, and my VP lies to my new school about the number of days I was absent, he lies about me not telling my school of my absence and suggests they may fire me.

I work for a GEPIK school. Thankfully, the VP was informed of my contract and he calmed down, but he didn't contact my new school again to clarify the situation, or apologize for lieing to them.

I am a non-organization-type person, but if we as legal workers have certain rights in our contract, which don't seem to be respected, unless we act like servants, I think that is a major concern.

There is another poster on this forum that can't find work in the same province, just because his Principal had some bad words to say about his preparation for a particular class.

I am a government employee, and if this kind of thing continues, we will all continue to be like slaves here. I think an organization which simply looks out for our rights, and manages to put some form of pressure on our employers to respect our contracts, would be of real benefit to us all.

The sad fact is it seems many native teachers here disagree on so many issues, that the idea of 'unity' seems to be unrealistic.

In short, we should have an organization which enables us to know our employer cannot bad mouthe us unjustly or lie about us whenever they feel like it.

I'm still smiling though.

[phoneboothface]

If the association is for the rights of E2 visa holders and allowing them to work where they please without being restricted by laws advantageous to hakwon owners and those that marry into the guild, then I am all for it.

What would the association stand for in general?

[pocariboy73]

[Bondrock]

here is where "it" hits the fan... put up a million... or shut yer beak I says... i do want to represent the downtrodden like fromtheuk...

but most of all, I am tired (after 10 years here) of being treated like the hired-help and i am willing to gamble 1 million to make my life better....

(PS: I am an E-2)

PSS (one member in for a million, PM me if interested)

[cruisemonkey]

[phoneboothface]

Ya I'm in for a million if someone'll front me two.

Got here 5 years ago with $33k now I got $22k. Korean bitches and my dumb ass sparkling.

Still curious what the assn. would stand/fight for... seems like a good idea.

[fromtheuk]

People want to help me...........

Seriously, I feel a sense of frustration about this issue.

It seems not enough native teachers can open their eyes and realize if they set up an organization which will genuinely benefit us all, it will be worth it.

I can't grumble though, because I'm lazy.

Imagine......we can't stand each other, but if we have a structure in place to protect all of our rights as workers, nothing militant, nothing political, just plain common sense.

It's the last bit that's the problem!

[cruisemonkey]