Amid controversy over union executives at Woori Bank purchasing 166 million won worth of golf apparel as so-called protest uniforms with union dues, they decided to return the full amount in cash and deposit it in special accounts. The union also decided to redo the expenditure resolution related to the purchase of the protest uniforms.
According to the financial sector on the 21st, the Woori Bank union decided to hold a full executive committee meeting on the 22nd and make this decision regarding the protest uniform purchase agenda.
A union official said, "We take seriously that unnecessary controversy or misunderstanding could arise among union members and externally," and noted, "All executives who received the solidarity protest uniforms decided to return the entire payment amount in cash and deposit it in special accounts."
Previously, a senior union executive surnamed L posted on the company bulletin board, "Seventy-nine union executives purchased 166 million won (an average of 2.1 million won per person) worth of high-priced golf apparel," and said, "Without prior discussion with me, who is in charge of overall internal affairs, or obtaining approval, they resolved to make the payment."
In response, the union explained that it notified the two internal accounting auditors of the ex post facto resolution regarding the protest uniform purchase and proceeded accordingly. The union said it undergoes internal accounting audits quarterly and is also required to conduct external accounting audits annually. The union said this protest uniform purchase was also carried out under these accounting standards.
A union official said, "We proceeded with the contract and purchase with top priority on budget savings and efficient use of union dues," and noted, "As a result, we purchased at about 1.66 billion won, saving about 67 million won compared with the budget (about 233 million won) executed by the previous union."
Additionally, "The 10th union recognizes very gravely the situation in which union members' concerns and social responsibility over the execution of union dues have grown due to matters related to the previous union's embezzlement and breach of trust of union dues," and said, "We are applying standards and internal review procedures that are even more stringent than before in every expense execution process."
The official added, "Going forward, we will manage the overall budget execution even more thoroughly so that union dues can be used more transparently and responsibly."