The Kakao union, known as Crew Union, announced plans to prepare for a strike next month following the Labor Commission's decision to halt mediation. The union criticized the company's passive negotiation stance.
In a statement released on May 28, the Kakao branch of the union stated, "The cessation of mediation after months of negotiations is not merely due to wage differences, but a result of the breakdown of trust between the company and its employees. The company has consistently responded passively rather than making responsible decisions."
The union has been advocating for not only wage increases but also improvements to the opaque performance compensation structure and organizational measures to restore trust. They pointed out that the company unilaterally distributed bonuses during negotiations and frequently changed negotiation representatives, undermining the continuity of discussions.
The union emphasized, "With nearly half of this year gone, many employees have yet to receive the application of normal wage agreements. True management reform should begin with restoring trust among employees, not through cost-cutting or organizational restructuring."
The union also highlighted the recent resignation of Hong Mintak, Kakao's Chief Product Officer, and the announcement of layoffs at XL Games during the mediation process. They argued that accumulated management risks and repeated controversies within the Kakao community have increased distrust among employees.
While the Kakao branch stated that it would not completely close off the possibility of dialogue after the mediation halt, they added, "We can no longer resolve issues through mere waiting and patience. We will prepare for a strike in June with our members to ensure that the value of labor is justly respected and that the company's achievements are fairly distributed."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.