KakaoBank Union Begins Work-to-Rule Protest

The KakaoBank labor union has initiated a work-to-rule protest, beginning at midnight on August 12. Members of the Kakao branch of the Korean Chemical, Textile and Food Workers Union will continue to perform their duties but strictly adhere to an average of 40 hours per week when calculating monthly working hours. This protest targets night work, overtime work, and holiday work.

The union's core objective is to disconnect from work outside designated hours. Once their working hours end, members will not respond to work orders from management via phone or messenger. This includes emergency system failures and demands for immediate action outside the collective agreement, which raises concerns about service operations.

However, the union insists it will perform duties within designated hours while strictly following safety, security, and review procedures. A union official explained, "It is not an abandonment of duties, but an action to adhere strictly to working hours and work procedures set by law exactly as they are."

This protest follows a one-day strike on July 31 where around 700 union employees took annual leave simultaneously. The labor and management of KakaoBank are now on parallel paths regarding the performance compensation plan.