"There Is No Such Thing as Pride"...17 Security Guards Lost Their Jobs After a Single Text Message [Recorder of the Low Places]

Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.
Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.
" A security guard identified as A, whom we recently met at an apartment security booth in Nowon District, Seoul, spoke cautiously about the controversy over the mass dismissals. Security guards work under a service contract structure, not in a direct employment relationship with the apartment complex. A also has no choice but to remain firmly in the position of the weaker party under the contract.Because of the mass dismissal controversy, the interview was difficult to arrange, and his remarks and surrounding details have been summarized only to the extent necessary to avoid identifying him. He was careful when talking about the dismissal dispute. A has worked at the complex for a long time, but when asked about the contract change and dismissal process, he said it was "a matter between the company and the residents' representatives" and stressed that "the security guards do not know." He added, "I'm afraid that if I say the wrong thing, it could become a problem again," and described their situation as being like "shadows. " A said, "If they just tell us to leave, we leave. We are shadows.
" Notice of non-selection delivered by text message The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the Korean Democratic Federation of General Trade Unions, and the National Democratic General Labor Union held a press conference in front of the apartment complex last month, claiming that 17 existing security guards had been notified by text message that they would not be rehired. After the list of dismissed workers was partially adjusted, the final number of dismissed guards fell to 14. After a new chairperson of the Council of Occupant Representatives was elected in late May, the apartment complex signed a contract with a new security company.
After interviewing the existing guards, the company sent text messages telling some of them that they had not been selected. The union pointed out that every time the service provider changes, the same pattern repeats: the jobs of existing security guards are not guaranteed.
Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.
Some of them had worked at the apartment complex for many years. He said finding another job is not easy either.
Because reputation matters between apartment complexes in the same area and service companies, even speaking out can feel like a burden. Many apartment security guards work for service companies.
When the residents' representatives change companies, the employment of existing guards does not always continue automatically. If the new company holds new interviews or decides not to hire some workers, even long-serving guards can lose their jobs.
Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.
" He added, "Rather than having things change suddenly, I hope they can be settled in a way that everyone can accept. " A resident in his 50s, identified as C, also said, "Management issues should be known to residents too, but it does not feel good to see the workers become anxious overnight.
" He added, "I hope it can be resolved through dialogue. " A refrigerator inside the security booth.
Photo by Han Seung-gon. More than patrol work inside the security booth A said security work is not limited to patrols.
In addition to walking around the apartment complex, guards are also responsible for cleaning, food waste disposal, recycling, leaf cleanup, and snow removal. He said, "Security, cleaning, food waste disposal, and patrols are the basics," adding, "There are many times when we also have to clean up after things residents throw away." Sorting recyclables is also a burden. He said guards may also have to wash food waste bins and remove bulky waste left out by residents.In winter, snow removal is the hardest task, he said. When it snows, the roads and parking lots inside the complex must be cleared.
If snow falls at night, they cannot sleep properly. He complained, "If it snows at midnight or 1 a.
Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.
" Why he cannot leave the job For A, the security job was not just a way to pass the time. His family tells him to quit, but he said he cannot easily give up the work.
Living on a pension alone is difficult, and working also allows him to give pocket money to his grandchildren. A said, "They tell me to quit.
But quitting is not easy either. " He added, "Still, if I earn money, I can give my grandsons 200,000 to 300,000 won each when they come over.
Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.
Some can afford to quit, but others must keep working because they need the money for daily living expenses. A said, "People with room to spare leave, but those who are staking their lives on this job or those whose households are struggling cannot leave.
" He himself began working as a security guard after retirement. It was not a job he was familiar with from the start.
His body was tired, but he said the emotional strain was even harder. He said, "For the first three months, even for a year after I started, I felt so hurt and ashamed that I thought about quitting several times.
" He continued, "But what else could I do?" He added, "Security work is truly hard. There is no such thing as pride.
" Some of the dismissed colleagues had worked at the apartment complex for 14 or 15 years, he said. A said they left the workplace without expressing much complaint.
He said, "No one left cursing. " He added, "They made a living here, so they left with gratitude." A worried that his words might cause problems for his fellow guards. His final words were an apology."I am sorry that I cannot be of help. " We record the stories of real lives in print.
Even if the language is rough, we preserve the words gathered on the scene as they are. From alleyways and markets to someone’s workplace, the ordinary days we have passed by return to meet our readers.
Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.Photo by Han Seung-gon. An apartment security booth is someone’s workplace, and for others, it is a source of livelihood they return to after retirement. But when the contract changes, even a long-held job can be shaken overnight.
hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter