Ei-iE

Teacher unionists in the US organised a protest in front of the Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C. The move was in support of the South Korean education support workers union (KPTU-EdSol). A massive rally is planned for 22 June, in which tens of thousands of Korean workers are expected to call on the South Korean government to engage in collective bargaining.

Leaders and staff of one of EI’s affiliates in the US, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), along with members of the Solidarity Center, protested on 19 June and the delegation hand-delivered a letter to the embassy addressed to South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

In addition, the protestors met with two consulate officials – an education staffer and the South Korean first secretary for political affairs - who came outside and received copies of the letter.

EI: Solidarity welcomed

“We welcome this international solidarity with the South Korean school workers, who have neither formal, stable employment nor wages based on experience,” said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen. “EI demands that the national public authorities engage in social dialogue with organisations representing educators to ensure the latter have decent working and living conditions.”