On the 27th, the IBK Industrial Bank Labor Union begins its first-ever solo general strike, demanding the resolution of ‘discriminatory wages’ and ‘unpaid wages.’ Union members gather in front of the main office in Euljiro in the morning. /Courtesy of Oh Eun-sun.

Employees of IBK Corporations Bank have begun a general strike, claiming they are being discriminated against in wages compared to commercial banks, leading to increasing inconveniences for customers. While some branches are advising customers to use non-face-to-face services, around 60% of all employees are participating in the strike, causing disruptions at branches nationwide.

In front of an IBK Corporations Bank branch in Mapo-gu, Seoul, a notice titled "Message to our customers" was posted on the morning of the 27th. The notice stated, "A strike by the IBK Corporations Bank labor union is scheduled for December 27," adding that "bank operations may be delayed or some services may be restricted on that day."

At this time, an elderly person who had come to the bank with a payment slip and said, "I can’t see well," was guided by the security guard to use the ATM instead. There were three employees working at this branch, and each was attending to one customer. Strike notices were posted in various places, including the waiting area and next to the service counters inside the bank.

Both the bank and the labor union anticipated the personnel shortage on the day of the general strike. The union stated it would send and post notices at each bank location explaining the current situation to consider customer inconveniences. The management also announced on the company intranet last week a request for non-union members to refrain from using vacation days for smooth operations on the day of the strike. The automated response when calling the IBK Corporations Bank customer service that day also included a notice that "due to the general strike at IBK Corporations Bank, connections to employees may be delayed or some consultations may be limited."

On the 27th, at a branch of the corporations' bank in Mapo-gu, Seoul. A notice about the general strike is posted on the door. /Courtesy of Oh Eun-sun.

The IBK Corporations Bank wage and collective bargaining (wage and collective agreement) negotiating committee launched its first standalone general strike at 10:30 a.m. in front of the main office in Euljiro, Seoul. According to the bank, about 4,200 union members participated in the strike that day, approximately 50% of the total 8,295 union members. The rally concluded with a street march toward the Financial Services Commission in Gwanghwamun following the main conference.

Despite the freezing weather, union member A, who traveled from the countryside, said, "The weather is so cold that I made thorough preparations with hot packs and thermal underwear," adding, "I'm frustrated that I haven't received a proper performance bonus at the end of the year, which is why I decided to attend the rally in person."

The union is demanding that the management, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and Financial Services Commission resolve 'discriminatory wages' and 'unpaid wages.' The union claims that IBK Corporations Bank currently pays 30% less than the commercial bank employees providing the same labor due to its status as a public institution.

According to the 'management status disclosure report' from each bank, the average earned income per employee at IBK Corporations Bank was 85.28 million won last year, while the average for the four major commercial banks—KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, and Woori—was 113.50 million won. This represents a difference of approximately 24.9%.

The union also claims that due to the government's restrictions on total personnel expenses, overtime pay of about 6 million won per person is not being paid at all. Furthermore, it argues that despite the Ministry of Strategy and Finance taking over 1.1 trillion won in dividends over the last three years, the special performance bonuses paid to employees were merely zero. The IBK Corporations Bank union has additional demands including the payment of a 250% basic salary special performance bonus and an increase in the employee stock ownership amount.

Kim Hyung-sun, chairperson of the IBK Corporations Bank branch (also serving as chairperson of the Financial Union), said, "The special performance bonuses, compensation leave, and employee stock ownership all depend on the government," noting, "Particularly, as we enter a power change due to the presidential coup situation, the government personnel have all disappeared, making the situation even more difficult."

The union has been negotiating wage and collective agreements (collective negotiations) with management since September, but discussions have broken down. A vote of union members conducted on the 12th found that 88% of participants took part, and among them, 95% or 6,241 members voted in favor, successfully approving the strike.

On the 27th, the lobby of the IBK Industrial Bank main office is prepared for the general strike. /Courtesy of Oh Eun-sun.

However, voices are emerging both within and outside the financial sector arguing that the union members at IBK Corporations Bank, who enjoy high employment stability and stable salaries, lack justification for a strike. There are criticisms about a national policy bank, which is specialized in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed people, engaging in a strike amid challenging economic conditions. The government also stated it would be difficult to recognize exceptions to the wage levels the union demands within the public institution wage system, specifically for IBK Corporations Bank.

The chairperson, Kim, warned that while there may be inconveniences for citizens using the branches, "there's no choice but to endure the situation," adding, "If the government and the bank do not accept workers' demands, we can bring bank operations to a standstill through a second or third general strike."