Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cellphone]

Does anyone realize that if 5,000 white teachers in Korea officially announced and then carried out even the most basic work strike, all in unison, that lots of Kims would suddenly be nervously crying and shaking and real agreements would indeed be made and met?

[hellofaniceguy]

It would be nice if all ESL teachers banned together for a 3-5 day no work protest...but...most would not have to balls to do so.
Protesting would be a wake up call for hakwon owners. Just because you may have a great contract and decent hakwon boss...the MAJORITY do not and so we all need to band together for the benefit of all.
I am at a University...lucky...but for hakwons...I'd protest for no more than 5 50 minute classes a day, salary of no less than 2.0, decent housing, better materials, allowed to attend workshops throughout the year, etc...

[Grotto]

It would be beneficial to all if that happened.

I have found that the vast majority of FT's in Korea have all the backbone of a worm. They refuse to stand up for themselves.

Sad but true

[tzechuk]

My husband has always said that there should be a union.. but then who would organise it and who would join? I somehow can't see it happening.

[the_beaver]

Beneficial how?

I have no big problems with my workplace.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

A strike over what, exactly? Everyone's problems are different, and due to a general lack of professionalism. What would work better is if more teachers were in a position to and had the spine to disregard management and just teach effectively, and quit when not paid or given needless grief at work.

[turtlepi1]

[eamo]

I'd like something done about your employer having control over your E-2 visa.

If Korea employed the Japanese system where teachers can move much more easily to a new job it might make the crappy employers here be a bit nicer.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[brento1138]

[Qinella]

What would we be striking?

And do a MAJORITY of us really not have satisfactory positions? I love my job - did I get lucky?

[Derrek]

The E-2 control thing isn't going to change -- for sure! Not anytime soon.

Why? Because Korean teachers in private schools (public too, I think) must also get permission from their boss to even leave the school, if they intend to go anywhere.

It's all about the slavery/control issues still prevolent in today's Korean society.

[jaderedux]

I have a pretty sweet position. And to be honest my hogwan was pretty good also. Paid on time EVERY TIME. No problems with bonus. And when I left my boss gave me glowing reference.

However, some sort of organization might help.

1. Some people for some reason seem to think it is okay for a boss to pay late and in partial payments. I don't know a single westerner that would tolerate this at home.

2. Ownership of one's Visa would probably solve alot of problems. If you can quit a job without being harassed, threatened or deported it might force hogwon owners to be more ethical.

3. Privates should be made legal as long as they were registered and taxed. (not easy to administer I know).

4. Standardized contracts. Addendums can be added but standard contract in English and Korea would help. What is a class hour? Vacations time should be spelled out more clearly.

5. Medical care should be above board and paid for by both employer and employee. 50/50 split with the card issued and given to the employee. Some kind of standard sick day policy.

6. Legitmate payslips with deductions listed in english.

I don't think anyone wants buckets of money. But to be treated ethically and fairly would help.

Secret and hidden expenses eat up bonuses. Teachers holding on in hopes of getting pay month after month.

In all honesty I have never been treated badly or unfairly in Korea. I have never had to fight for a bonus. My vacations are more than generous and my pay both in hogwon and in my public school job have always been paid on time.

Now on the other side of the coin. I can see hogwons/schools requiring housing deposits. I have seen first hand the condition some teachers leave their apartments.

I can see some monetary penalty for not completing the contract without proper notice. Drug testing would be a good idea. Sorry but standard in the states and other countries too.

If I were hogwon owner I would require dress codes. Sorry but I have seen some sorry a$$ed foreign teachers walking around during their breaks looking like either "Look at me I am Jay-Z except white" or die hard phish phans or Dead heads.

Remember a union swings both ways. We make demands, they make concessions. They make demands we make concessions. Be careful what you wish for.

Jade

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Homer]

Interesting idea.

But I still think a FT union here is not feasible nor is it realistic considering the disparate nature of the ESL market here.

How would you coordinate this strike?

Who would run the union when your avg teacher stays here for 1-2 years?

Would there be dues?

Also to consider is that a large portion of the foreigners here are not here because they want to teach in the long term. They are here to wipe out student loans and travel. Would they have access to a Teachers Union?

What about the jokers out there who act as clowns and who care nothing for their jobs? Include them too?

I think a walk out could produce positive results. However, the hard truth of it is that you might be hard pressed to get people to participate much less join a union for what they consider a temporary gig or even a "working-holiday".