Subsequently, the workers became jobless overnight, some of whom have been working for Dong Kang for over two decades.

Dong Kang Hospital has outsourced food services to contractors for 30 years now since 1994. In the past, even when the contractor was changed, existing workers remained. But, this time, despite the hospital’s custom, the new contractor fired all, highly likely because workers formed a sub-branch of the KHMU last year. Hence, the workers blamed the contractor for it.

In addition, the KHMU presumes that they did all to save labor cost and possibly the quality of food supplies would become lower, doing harm to workers and patients at the hospital. Those fired workers continued struggling for a month without a hair out of place. Every day and night, they were picketing the hospital, CEO’s house and on the street. 

All KHMU members (78,000) also joined the fight in solidarity. Some donated while others posted photos of cheers to protestors. Non-cafeteria workers at Dong Kang also made an anonymous donation. After all this effort and solidarity, on January 30, the KHMU, Dong Kang Hospital management, Dongwon Home Food and the mediator Ulsan office of the Ministry of Employment and Labor met and reached an agreement, under which all 16 union members at the cafeteria of Dong Kang Hospital should be rehired through steps. In addition, Dong Kang Hospital management promised that they would try its utmost to ensure succession of employment in the future.