This film is based on actual events.
The characters and the details of the story have been dramatized.
To achieve top sales,
you'll all do a good job, right?
Yes.
Madame HAN Sun-hee! Please come out front.
Madame HAN!
Yes, out to the front.
Madame HAN worked for 5 years from sales to the cashier job
without any penalty points.
After 3 months at the customer service center,
she'll become a regular employee.
Don't be envious. Work hard to become a regular employee!
A regular employee!
Madame, please come up here.
Now, Madame HAN will shout out the slogans today.
The customer is the king!
Work for customer satisfaction!
When the company prospers,
We prosper! We love customers!
CART
Have a nice day!
We love you. Welcome, beloved customer!
That'll be $95.
Where is it? Oh, it's here.
That'll be $157, beloved customer.
- Mom! This, too. - OK.
KIM Mi-jin!
It's been a while, huh?
- Do you know her? - Yeah, from college.
Beloved customer, the point card seems damaged so please punch in...
Swipe it again.
- Isn't it a new card? - Yeah.
All right.
It's OK, Mi-jin. Let's just go.
- What about the points? - Get them later.
Hey, got to get my card back.
They can get this done at the customer service center.
We love you, beloved customer. Welcome.
Please sign here.
- Let's rotate shifts. - Good day, beloved customer.
- Madame HAN! - Yes.
- Are you free today? - Yes...
Madame LEE Hae-mee.
Part-timers are a mess today. Please help out in the back.
I'm sorry I can't today. I'll see you tomorrow.
Madame.
I'm sorry. Madame.
I'm sorry.
- Madame HAN! Come! - Yes.
A LETTER OF APOLOGY
REFLECTION CHAIR 10 COMMANDMENTS
"WE THANK THE BEST EMPLOYEE FOR ENHANCING OUR STORE." - THE MART
Yes!
Aunties!
- Come on in. - Having your lunch?
- Have you eaten? - Yes.
Just finished. Sit.
What is it?
Dessert!
Is it a bribe?
What bribe?
I finished eating all this.
It sure looks like a bribe to me.
Because of this, I eat a lot of rice for breakfast.
Depending on how you do, you could eat it for a long time.
Then, juice for every lunch break?
I prefer soy milk.
Not saving up for marriage?
Constant dripping wears away a stone.
You don't use that phrase in this context.
Guess you weren't that good in school, huh?
What are you talking about?
Breakfast, Tae-young!
Tae-young!
When's Dad coming back?
He went to the islands this time so it'll take about 5-6 months.
I'll change that for you. Your cell phone.
Soon, I'm going to be a regular employee and get a raise.
Mommy, I want one, too!
You're too little to get one.
Min-young, you can have one when you get to junior high.
I have to buy a compass today!
All right. Eat before the food gets cold.
Tae-young, let's get the phone when I get off work early.
All right.
Mom! I have to get a compass!
I'm getting it now. Here you go.
It's a survey on whether you can go on the school trip
and where you'd like to go.
Consult with your parents and hand it in next week.
If possible, let's all go together.
Some of you skip school events to just hang out on your own
But this trip will count towards your attendance.
So, if you don't go, you'll have a self-study session at school.
YOON Su-kyung! Who told you to hand it in now?
I told you, by next week.
It'll be the same next week.
Can I go to the bathroom?
All right.
Let's have a bathroom break and get ready for next class.
Yes, ma'am.
Unregistered user.
Madame HAN! Uniform looks good on you.
Working at the center from today?
Have a great day and good luck!
Thank you.
Please wait one moment.
Ms. Senior Clerk.
- Quick. - Yes, I'm sorry.
- Madame! - Yes.
A box of wine, too. All right.
Hello?
- Didn't you pay the lunch money? - Oh, no. I forgot.
It was due yesterday.
I'm sorry. I got off work late yesterday.
- I'll pay it today. - Madame HAN!
Yes!
It would've been easy if you asked for a meal voucher.
It's not that.
Really?
Not many have flip phones in our class.
Just you and me.
You think you're the only one who didn't pay?
The rich kids eat it anyway even when they didn't pay.
Well, kids like you won't eat it for fear of getting caught.
It's not like that!
All right, then.
Next time, even if it beeps, just eat it.
Who cares?
Are you saying that I'm a thief?
No, beloved customer. I'm sorry.
But, under store policy, items without stickers are our products.
I said I bought them outside!
I'm sorry but it's the store policy.
If you don't mind, I'll scan the bar code.
How dare you touch it!
Are you giving me a glare?
I'm sorry, beloved customer.
Please don't be angry and come with me over there.
What terrible service!
Making me out to be a thief,
touching my things without permission,
and glaring at the customer.
Follow me.
We love you. Welcome, beloved customer.
Welcome.
What took you so long?
There were some returned items at the last minute.
Madame HAN.
Yes?
Aren't you tired?
Extending your shift every day like that?
Oh, I'm fine. Anyway, it's all part of the work here.
It's tiring for me.
And, it's awkward to refuse every time.
All of you, please step outside.
You stay.
Hurry now. Quick.
I told you to apologize properly. Such a mess.
Do it properly this time.
Please come inside, beloved customer.
- Is it her, Mom? - Yeah.
I've never seen such crude people.
Ms. LEE Hae-mee. Apologize sincerely.
Son.
Tell her to apologize on her knees.
Apologize on your knees!
Please accept my apology.
Min-su!
Mommy!
Why are you outside?
I told you to stay inside until I get here.
Why are you so late? All the kids went home...
I'm sorry. Sorry.
Yes. It's not a problem. Outsourcing is the new trend.
Yeah, we're way behind others in this industry.
Isn't that right?
- Yes, of course. - I'm sorry to interrupt...
But, if you fire all of them...
What's the matter? Didn't you do this at your previous work?
That's why I'm telling you.
This'll attract social criticisms and legally...
Why are you worrying about that?
Do we have a legal team for nothing?
If there's a problem, leave it to the legal team.
We already selected the outside contractor.
- Move things along quickly. - Yes. Yes.
Get it done in a month. No need to drag it on.
Of course.
CUSTOMERS LEAD TO SALES!
What? Then, all these people here can't work?
What is 'outsourcing'?
What does it mean?
What's this?
What's it about?
Did you get the text?
They sent a text?
TERMINATION OF CONTRACT SENT. FROM THE MART
Something terrible's happened.
Come out, quick!
We can't work anymore?
What a disaster!
Are we all getting fired?
What are you doing during working hours?
Manager CHOI, what's this?
Aren't you rotating the shifts?
Mr. Manager! What's going on?
What do you mean?
The store closing team, please go in, now.
Cleaning ladies, please get back to your areas.
Manager CHOI!
It says termination of contract. We should know what's going on.
I'm not in the Personnel Team so how should I know?
Back to work.
- Please get back to work. - Can't you read, then?
Why are we sent to an outside contractor?
Then, we could be fired any time.
She's right.
I don't know, either. Let's get back to work now.
- Please get back to work. - Back to work, please.
Back to work, please.
Assistant Manager KANG!
I don't understand this.
I was supposed to be a full-time soon?
Now, what'll happen to me?
The order's from the head office. So, there's nothing I can do.
Then, I'm not going to be a regular employee?
Still, I can keep working, right?
Hey, KANG, what are you doing?
Mr. Assistant Manager!
You said you'd guarantee the term of our contract!
I still have more than five months left on my contract.
Mr. KANG, please explain this.
- Am I fired, too? I have to work. - Assistant Manager KANG!
- Go to your office. Quick. - I'm sorry.
- Hey, Senior Clerk LEE.
- Yes, yes. - Get these ladies out.
Please, everyone.
What was the contract for?
This is unfair dismissal!
The company's unilaterally breaching the contract.
Right! Then, what do we do?
Tell the Head of the store to come out!
- Yeah, tell him to come out! - The Head of the store...
Ladies!
Do you want to get laid off right now?
Get back in the store. Now!
It's working time. Please get back to work.
What are you doing, KANG?
Senior Clerk LEE. Quickly!
Senior Clerk KIM!
Get them inside, quickly.
- Yes, yes. - Hurry!
Enough. Enough.
KANG, what should we do?
I didn't hit you.
You did hit me!
Do you have to go?
If I don't, I'll be absent.
Jeju Island, Gyeongju, Namhae, Japan...
Look how expensive it is! Wow!
Stop looking at it, now.
I'm not done.
Where should I go?
Mom!
Where should I go for the school trip?
Should I write it on my own?
Let's talk later.
When are we going to change the cell phone?
We worked without taking any breaks.
How can they do this to us?
Yeah! I couldn't eat because I had to write the apology letter.
One soup, please.
Come sit.
They made us work overtime and never gave us extra pay.
Yeah!
Whether we're working or not, they don't care one bit.
No matter how temporary our contract is, this is wrong.
Shouldn't they go by our contract?
I know!
- We all signed contracts. - Yeah.
Yes. You're all right.
Talking to the company alone won't work, right?
That day, when we joined together,
Manager CHOI was taken aback.
Yeah, you're right.
So, we have to form a labor union.
- It's the union application form. - What is it?
We'll negotiate with the company
in one voice as the union. Take one and pass it around.
This, too.
LABOR UNION APPLICATION FORM
But, if we ask the company to negotiate with us
will they come?
Yes. If they don't, they're breaking the law.
- She says it's illegal. - Let's do this.
Fill it in.
Write your name and sign with your thumbprint.
Can we sign our names?
Please sign with your thumbprint.
- Cleaner - Cleaner
Anybody have a pen?
The red inkpad.
Pass them forward when you're done.
Did everyone sign up?
Yes.
I didn't because I'm thinking of quitting.
Then, why are you here?
Can't I just watch?
Can't make the horse drink the water.
In unity there's strength. Remember that.
Yes.
Is this all?
Here
We have to pick the negotiators.
You two can do it.
One for the cleaners and one for the cashiers.
Yeah.
Two people aren't enough.
You do it. You'll be great.
Please.
What?
I don't know about these things.
Yeah, we don't know, either. Just stay by our side.
I recommend HAN Sun-hee who had no penalty points for 5 years.
You'll do great.
Come on out. Come.
Hae-mee, you come out, too. Quick.
Hurry.
Is it all right for us three to represent you?
Yes!
Now, let's go negotiate!
Let's go!
Mr. Head of the store, sir!
Shouldn't we show up for the negotiations?
The main office won't recognize the union.
So why should we?
At least, we should hear what they have to say.
If it can't fire as it pleases, is that a company?
The result won't change because of a few technicalities.
They'll tire out of it. They're just women.
- But, sir! - I'm busy.
Sir!
Press 1 for application results.
Press your applicant number followed by the star sign.
CUSTOMERS COME FIRST.
Number 376.
You're not on our final list.
Thank you for applying to Haesung Industry.
I drank so much cold water. Stupid jerks!
So, how many times did they blow you off?
Open your ears!
They waited at the same time every day all week long.
They totally ignored us, right?
We're nothing but disposables to them.
Why worry yourselves?
We can just ram them hard.
What's she talking about?
Mind your own business, if you're not a union member.
Union application form. All good now?
- Yes. - It's about time!
When did the company ever hear us?
Look around here, for example.
They just blocked off the boiler room with a board.
There's no heat and only two fans for the summer.
- We asked for fans ages ago. - That's right.
Mi-jin's right.
We have to find another way.
How?
What's another way?
Go on strike.
Go on strike?
Yes. Yes. I understand, sir.
No, sir. Yes. I'll see to it right away.
Yes, sir. Yes.
What did they say?
They want us to clean up the mess?
Shit. The higher-ups are nagging. The ladies are whining.
Who's leading them?
LEE Hae-mee, KANG Soon-rae, and HAN Sun-hee.
Madame HAN.
I was looking for you all over the place.
Please leave it.
It must've been hard because of the termination.
What?
He promised you a permanent job.
I'm specially letting you know.
No matter how much the ladies talk, it won't affect the company at all.
If you get in a union here, you can't go to any other stores.
You won't get hired, 100%.
A permanent job.
Do you think this color suits me?
Looks great with your fair skin.
You look young enough to get married.
Really? Should I turn my life around again?
Size medium for me. Medium.
Don't you mean large?
My body size is medium.
We only have size large.
Please give me one, too.
Here.
Today, Manager CHOI offered me
a permanent job on condition that I leave the union.
What a load of horseshit!
Now, they're just shit-scared.
Since it directly affects sales, they're probably nervous, too.
Tomorrow, we'll go on strike from 4 p.m.
The store opening team can work as usual. All right?
Yes.
Don't be late tomorrow.
Yes.
Can you leave a size small for my daughter?
Sun-hee! Working overtime again?
See you tomorrow.
Bye.
You wear... size medium?
Yes?
Let's show them tomorrow.
"LET'S LIVE TOGETHER!"
You're here.
HAN Sun-hee's not here?
Here you go. Thank you.
I'm sorry.
I'm so nervous.
Let's go.
Didn't think they'd actually do this. Unbelievable!
What's gotten into these women?
Don't worry. It'll end today.
If we don't stop them, we'll be sent away.
Be on alert!
Don't worry, sir. I have it all prepared.
Let's do this right.
How many are there?
40 people.
OK. Part-timers! Follow me.
Get upstairs, upstairs.
If you have to fight, don't ever get out of the checkout counter.
Don't argue with the ladies. Just push ahead!
It doesn't matter if someone gets hurt.
Move along to the right.
Go quickly.
This is irrational.
How can people in the service industry act like this?
We also want to resolve this by talk.
But, the company's not showing up at the negotiating table.
Still, this is going too far.
Why should we suffer for your issues with the company?
I'm sorry it had to come to this. I'm sorry.
- This is unbelievable. - We have no choice, ma'am.
The company's hired part-timers.
What are you saying, Sun-hee?
The company's hired part-timers for the checkout counter.
Look over there!
In Groups of three.
What's going on?
Hurry.
Using substitute workers during a strike is illegal!
We can't let them do this!
Hurry! Quick!
It's illegal to use substitutes during a strike!
It's illegal!
- Don't get pushed out! - Please leave the counter!
Stay behind the counters! Stay there!
- Get out of there! - Please get out!
You part-timers Shouldn't do this!
You shouldn't be doing this!
Push them through.
Don't get out.
Part-timers! Follow me!
Why does your brother do that when there's enough rice?
Anyway, don't just eat Ramen. Have some rice, too.
Don't worry about me.
Don't be watching TV all day while I'm not there.
OK.
Worried about the kids?
My little one's still very young.
There's a child-protecting god. So, relax.
- Please get this. - Hey, what's all this?
Are you hungry?
Why so much when we'll be here only for a day?
Gotta eat well when away from home.
Thanks for the trouble.
We could've just paid for what we ate.
Did we have to do it like this?
We shouldn't let them find fault with little things.
Today, it'll be uncomfortable but let's hang in there!
No problem. Since I've been here,
nobody's asking for food or water.
I'd have sweet dreams despite the cold floor.
What? Want to risk getting sick sleeping on the cold floor?
This is our bed for tonight. Pass them around.
Let's sleep on soft beddings.
Yes.
It's my first time to sleep under the checkout counter.
You think it's my second time?
Oh, that mouth.
Go sleep under checkout counter no. 13.
I don't want to. I'm sleeping here.
Why sleep next to me?
Why's she sleeping there?
It's a real pity.
Why you ladies are taking such drastic measures...
The company should know why.
Somebody's sweet-talked the ladies who's working for pocket money.
Nobody's talked us into this. We all came in on our own.
I work for a living. Not for some pocket money.
Ladies, calm down and let's resolve this peacefully. OK?
It's the company that's refused to resolve this peacefully.
That's right. We kept waiting at the conference room.
- Well, at that time... - From now on,
Let us work according to the contract.
Right now, you're occupying the store illegally.
It was the company that first acted illegally.
Illegal occupation and business obstruction!
If you keep this up, it won't be easy for both parties.
Don't worry. They'll call it off.
Isn't that right?
Then, let's negotiate after you call it off. OK?
NOTICE OF STORE CLOSURE
Why do they keep telling us to call off the occupation?
If we do, I think they'll run the store with part-timers.
Those who sleep warm and easy at night,
how could they know about how we feel as we shiver in the cold?
In my 20-year cleaning career, I'm really going to speak up now.
I'm not going until we negotiate!
I totally agree with you.
What are you doing?
I vote to stay!
OCCUPATION WAS INEVITABLE DUE TO THE MART'S UNFAIR OUTSOURCING PLAN AND IRRESPONSIBLE MASSIVE LAYOFFS.
From Green Pre-school, I'm six-year-old SUH Min-su.
After the divorce, it's just Min-su and me.
I was also fired at my former job.
This time, I don't want to easily give in.
- Fighting! - Fighting!
After college, I went to more than 50 interviews.
I did all kinds of part-time jobs.
But, I've never seen a company that picks my lipstick color.
I mean, do we calculate with our lipstick color?
They promised me a regular job if I don't get a penalty for 2 years.
It's been 4 years.
I was even once picked as Best Employee of the Month.
But, I got fired.
My baby's still very young.
I left my baby with my mother.
Once we succeed with the strike, I want to go home to my family.
NO TO OUTSOURCING! THE MART SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING!
UNILATERAL CONTRACT TERMINATION! CANCEL IT NOW!
Watching TV all day?
The TV's on all day.
Did Mom call?
Yeah. She said don't eat Ramen. Eat some rice, too.
How can I eat rice when there's none?
Stealing?
Just keep watching TV.
Get something for me, too.
Hello, customer.
You're 40 cents short.
Is this dinner?
What do you care?
Sir, it's 2 cents for the bag. Do you need it?
Yeah.
2 cents.
How much is the hourly pay here?
What do you care?
What's that?
I'm just giving them to you. They're expired.
Why give me something that's expired?
- Give me a fresh one, instead. - Nothing'll happen if you eat it.
Such a baby...
Can't you see that I'm the customer?
Here's dinner.
Oh, thank you.
The rice is cooked very well.
Pass it around from over there.
Thank you, Min-su.
Chew it well.
Good boy.
Thank you.
Is it that delicious?
I mean, thanks for being here.
The soup tastes so-so.
Then, I guess you won't be having any?
Oh, are you offended?
What's going on?
Is it broken?
- Mommy. - Mommy's here.
Is it a blackout?
It's no blackout. The company's turned them off.
I bet the company's turned them off.
That's so mean. Really.
What will happen next?
They'll gradually tighten the noose.
You're very worried about Min-su, right?
They say there's a separate god that protects children.
Were you a temporary employee by contract at your previous job?
I was a regular employee.
But why did you...
When I had my first child,
I couldn't work overtime due to nausea.
So I overworked. But then, I had a miscarriage.
After 2 days of my miscarriage, I went back to work.
I worked hard and got a promotion.
Then, I got pregnant with Min-su.
But, no matter how you do well, they give you a lower evaluation.
If that continues, you get fired.
Is it like that for regular employees, too?
It's probably for the best that I got fired before losing Min-su.
To you, I must've looked really stupid.
I worked overtime without getting extra pay.
I was like a slave to Manager CHOI.
Well, you didn't do it because you wanted to, sis.
"Sis"?
Well, it's weird to call each other "madame".
That's true.
We're not even that old.
You look nice.
We fucking love you, beloved customer.
Oh! My friend! You work in this shithole?
Better than living off my mom like you, beloved customer.
A whole life as a scanner. Got nothing better to do?
I had so many interviews, but they were all temp jobs.
I heard you had 50 job interviews.
- I'll be a full-timer next month! - Really? That's great, my friend.
I got fired, bitch!
I did, too, bitch!
- They all got fired, bitch. - Fire the CEO, too!
They're all fired, beloved customer.
♪Call me whenever you need me
♪I'll run to you whenever
We'll be opening up soon. I'm sorry.
Hey, stop and get out of the way.
Already?
Get out of the way!
♪The Mart's Labor Union, My love is the special kind
- ♪even through massive layoffs - Auntie!
♪The Mart's Labor Union will run to you unconditionally
- The lights are back on! - Oh, my!
Bring in the female officers!
Gather together!
Recall unfair dismissal!
Gather together!
Hae-mee, hold on tight.
No. Don't do this.
No!
Why are you taking us?
Taking innocent people
and defending the rich people, is that what police do?
I'm not going! I can't go!
- Auntie, auntie! - Please help.
She's collapsed!
Please wake up!
Help!
Here! Please!
If the company kept its promise, we wouldn't have done this.
That's right. We didn't want to...
Lady! It's no use telling me.
- The company did wrong. - So, why arrest us?
Quiet down, please.
Why are you here? Did the police call you?
The company called.
I didn't do anything wrong.
They didn't keep their promise of regular employment.
If your dad calls...
Don't say anything?
Yeah. Don't want him to worry.
All right.
Tae-young, I really didn't do anything wrong.
Until when do we have to stay here?
The company did wrong. They acted illegally.
I still have five months left in the contract.
That's enough, ladies.
Isn't that you?
It's you.
It's on TV.
The Mart claims the union's illegal occupation caused
inconvenience to the customers
- and a loss of $ 7 million.
A loss of $ 7 million? Bullshit!
None of our demands are mentioned.
They should get their facts straight!
Union and company will Continue to be in conflict
- Yes. I got it. - Thanks.
KANG Dong-jun! Don't do anything stupid!
What did I do?
You distributed union application forms to permanent employees.
Don't you know what's going on in the company?
So? It's fine as long as we don't get fired.
It's all great if you alone don't get fired?
You don't get it because you're single.
Try having a wife with three kids.
Our eldest one eats a whole lot.
It breaks my back to just feed, clothe, and educate them.
Plus, those who get fired all have some kind of a problem.
They're either incompetent or they harm the company!
You got no problem. So, just work as you usually do.
Like you, they're also working hard for their families.
Please watch what you're saying.
PART-TIMER WANTED
PERSONNEL TEAM
Why did a regular worker like you need to form a union?
Is it because of the changeover to contract-based employment?
KANG! You received high evaluations and you're popular among employees.
Try not to stir up the employees. OK?
Now, you should become a manager.
Dong-jun! There's no opportunity like this.
It's so considerate of you now that I formed a union.
I should've formed it earlier.
Before the ladies got fired.
I'll be getting back to work.
Assistant Manager KANG Dong-jun!
Leave behind your 2-way radio and your employee card.
How many quit the union?
Not many.
What about Ok-soon?
She's grounded.
Is your blood pressure all right?
It's because I didn't take my medication. It's nothing.
What is it?
It's nothing.
The union's occupation of the store is clearly an illegal act.
The company will seek severe punishment.
What are they saying?
Auntie.
You came?
What's wrong? Acting like you don't know each other...
Why's he here?
Can't you see? He's visiting me.
These are yours, right?
Oh, where did you find them?
I needed shoes to get home. Thanks.
Regular employees also formed a union.
The Mart will be sold soon.
It was their plan to replace the temps with contractors
and change full-timers to yearly contract workers.
Considering the situation, how about joining forces?
- Join forces? - Join what?
Who told you that we would? What'll you do if we do?
Fight together.
If we join forces, it'll make the company nervous.
So, you're just looking for people to fight for you?
What did you do when we all got fired?
How can we fight together with those who stood by the company?
We didn't take the company's side!
Sure. We couldn't speak out before it became our problem.
You're right. I apologize for that.
Hae-mee, it's not like we can pick and choose right now.
That's true.
But, why are you coming forward?
Because it's my problem, too.
If you accept, I'll fight really hard.
If you're confident enough to fight this struggle till the end,
you act as the union leader.
I'm so nervous.
The t-shirt looks good on everyone. I wore it, too.
But, it's a bit small and tight.
Do you have a bigger one?
We only have them in women's size.
You look good in anything!
Thank you for your support.
Please help me a lot.
- I'll do my best. - Fighting!
Please help me a lot.
Welcome, Ye-rin.
Here's your t-shirt. Welcome.
Two, three! Heave-ho!
LIVE IN A WORLD WITHOUT TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT!
Is it on right?
MEAGER PAY, NO CONSCIENCE. THE MART SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING!
Reinstate fired employees!
Reinstate! Reinstate!
The newsletter's out!
Take one.
Got the vest on?
So cute.
51 TH DAY OF STRUGGLE.
♪Looking at me by a candlelight, I find that I have a dream.
Mr. Lawyer, have some freshly-made seaweed roll.
Thank you.
Thank you for your hard work.
Our union leader!
What happens if they don't comply?
The company's charged with a compliance fee.
And, if they still don't comply,
then, we'll have to fight to the end.
- Please keep up the good work. - Yes.
Thank you for your hard work.
Dong-jun!
Min-su!
Did you have lots of good things to eat?
Yes.
Min-su, let's go hang up the ribbons.
Thank you for your hard work.
SUPPORTERS OF THE MART WORKERS' STRUGGLE. WORKERS' CANDLELIGHT CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Next, The Mart's union leader, KANG Dong-jun
will report on the developments of the struggle.
KANG Dong-jun! KANG Dong-jun! KANG Dong-jun!
Hello. I'm KANG Dong-jun, the leader of The Mart's union.
To the people who support us and our fellow workers,
I sincerely thank you.
Today, finally,
Nat'I Labor Relations Commission has issued a remedy order.
Explain it in easy terms so we can understand you.
Sure. There's a place called the Nat'I Labor Relations Commission.
Since we were unfairly fired,
they've ordered the company to earnestly negotiate with the union
and reinstate the fired employees.
Until the day we get reinstated,
are you ready to fight to the end?
Yes!
♪Jarajara Jajaja
♪Jarajara Jajajaja
♪It's really unconditional
♪Jajarajarajara Jajaja
♪Call me whenever you need me
♪I'll run to you whenever
- Have a good day. - Thank you.
It'll be another hour before my shift ends.
Don't worry about me and keep working.
Did you bring your homework?
Suddenly, I feel like having Ramen.
Don't even say 'Ra' in front of me.
Such a rookie.
I heard the school trip will be to Jeju Island.
Yeah.
I'm the only one not going. Isn't that awesome?
Didn't you get paid?
So what?
Never mind.
I better get back to work.
- I'll wait here. - OK.
There's a juicer in there.
My parents used to sell them but the business failed.
You were really cute when you were younger.
You're still cute.
Do you look like your mom or your dad?
My dad.
He does construction work and mom's...
All done! Let's eat and do our homework.
You're not having Ramen?
Don't even say the word.
Do you like Ramen?
I prefer seaweed.
So, what does your mom do?
- She does this. - Hey!
Why're you taking it off?
Shut it.
Will you send Min-su to pre-school again?
Kyung-jun!
- I should. - Kyung-jun!
Min-su! Kyung-jun will go to pre-school, too.
- So, play with him there. - Kyung-jun!
Yes, bye.
Kyung-jun will go to pre-school. You can see him there. OK?
OK.
All right. All right.
Sir! I live there.
Are you LEE Hae-mee?
- Yes. - It's registered mail.
Please sign here.
Come over here.
Mom, am I going to pre-school?
Huh?
Am I going soon?
CLAIM FOR DAMAGES: FOR ILLEGAL OCCUPATION AND BUSINESS OBSTRUCTION, $ 300,000 REQUESTED.
Mom?
Yeah...
Yay! ~
It's The Mart Labor Union's newsletter. Thank you.
Hello. It's The Mart Labor Union's newsletter.
You, over here. You, over there.
Come quick!
- What's going on? - I don't know.
Hand them out. Quick. You, over there.
Welcome.
We'll do our best not to inconvenience you.
Reinstate 23 people...
Not everyone?
They promised to reinstate every one of us.
How can they do this?
And are there only 23 people whose contract's not expired?
Most union members wrote a blank contract.
The term wasn't specified.
So, the company set it on its own.
You should know well since you were in the Personnel Team.
When needing money immediately, such terms weren't important.
And, the company's using that against us.
Yes.
I'll consult with the lawyer about the blank contracts.
What about the claim for damages?
You know how the members aren't in a good mood.
Since the claim only came for us, let's keep it a secret.
Even if we need a financing plan, we should deal with it together.
Let's say we do that for the damage claims sent to us.
How would the members feel under these circumstances?
We're not doing this just to make a living.
This kind of a claim is only aimed to sway the union.
We have to let them know at times like this.
Why is your brother out this late?
He's always late these days.
Stop watching TV and get to sleep.
All right.
Hurry to bed.
Why are you home so late?
Where are you coming from?
Can't you hear me?
Why were you out so late?
Huh?
CHOI Tae-young!
Tae-young!
What are you doing?
What's all this?
What are they?
What are you doing every night?
- We're not working so that you... - What did I do so wrong?
Mind your own business! Why take interest in me now?
Remember when you paid lunch money?
Did you even read the school newsletter for the school trip?
Why even bother coming home?
Tae-young. Tae-young, I'm so sorry.
Let me go!
Tae-young! Tae-young! Tae-young!
All right.
So, we can no longer picket with signs in front of the store?
Seems like it.
So scary.
- See you later. - Keep up the good work.
Sun-hee can't come because she has things to take care of at home.
I see.
Let's go, sis.
See you later.
Auntie...
could drippings really pierce the stone?
Are you... Su-kyung?
Are your parents all out to work?
I don't have any and I live with my grandma.
We live on welfare because we're poor.
Don't worry. I'm not Tae-young's girlfriend.
So, you don't have to tell me not to see him.
Your grandmother must depend on you a lot.
Tae-young came to school and took all his classes today.
Tae-young's a bit difficult, huh?
Kids these days are all like that.
He has his cute side, too.
Thanks for being nice to Tae-young.
You got some nerve! Running away from home like that.
How did you know?
Your mom says she's really sorry.
You met my mom?
She wasn't doing so good.
What did she say?
Although she didn't do much, she wants you to come home
because she wants to do many things for you.
A tip for the messenger!
You take care of it.
Oh! I told her about your part-time job.
Why did you do that?
I didn't tell her about how you like me.
Pick this.
Sorry for the trouble, Ok-soon.
Don't be.
It's upsetting at that age if they can't go on the school trip.
Tae-young and you both will be feeling bad.
Thank you.
How's the work here? And, how's your husband?
He's quiet since I bring home the money.
I've been waiting to be reinstated.
If I don't get reinstated, I'm a total sinner to my family.
I even canceled my insurance.
Yeah, I didn't know better to sign the contract right.
So, you guys who wrote it right go on back in.
We're not here to fight each other.
The company's waiting for us to fight each other.
If we go back to work now, it'll be our loss.
Even if we want to fight,
isn't the company refusing to meet us?
Honestly, I have respect for the union leader.
You're fighting with us even though you're a regular employee.
But, this is all too much. I don't know what to do.
One thing is clear.
We didn't fight this far so that
only some of us get reinstated.
Frankly, my family's demanding me to bring home money.
We're all in a similar situation.
You think my situation is the same as taking care of one child?
Min-su!
Where's the kid?
No! Not my Min-su!
Get out!
No! No!
Min-su! Min-su!
Min-su!
No! No!
It's my fault.
This wouldn't have happened if I didn't bring him to the tent.
If I had him beside me...
ULTIMATUM. IF YOU LEAVE THE UNION WE HIRE YOU. NOT MUCH TIME LEFT.
The Mart is operating illegally.
Do not ignore our desperate cries.
Do not ignore the truth.
He's a liar. He sweet-talked ladies to become a union leader.
The Mart must...
Ladies with non-expired contracts are back and working well.
Reinstate all unfairly fired workers.
He's fighting because he didn't get reinstated.
The Mart hired gangsters who harmed the union members
and injured an innocent child who is in critical conditions.
- Don't look at this. - Please read it.
For trusting this man, the families of the ladies are in ruins.
What did you just say?
What? Don't you feel bad for the ladies?
What do you know? You jerk!
Let me go!
Let me go! Shit!
Ladies! Ladies!
Hae-mee! What are you doing there? Come out quickly!
Hae-mee!
Hae-mee, what are you doing there? Come on out now!
Give it to me.
Wow, you're really persistent.
Didn't you promise to work for 2 months?
I did work for almost 2 months.
Yeah, almost. How many times do I have to tell you?
- Give me my paycheck. - Hey, you creep!
Let's call it even with when you were late.
I heard you slept in the storage and ate the seaweed rolls.
You said I could eat the expired ones.
That's why you said the hourly pay was $3.70.
When did I say that, you creep?
5 hours per day for 53 days. You should give him $980.50.
Who are you?
Pay up for the work he did.
Are you putting him down for being a minor?
Why you little jerks...
What do you care when I'm the one giving the paycheck?
Hey! Will you take this or not?
You took it. Go, now. You, too!
You, bastard! Come here!
Look what you've done!
What are you going to do now? What? Bastard!
Come over here! What you gonna do?
Come here!
You bastard!
Tae-young.
Are you Tae-young's guardian?
- Yes, I'm... - He totally broke the glass door!
He lived in my storage room. So, pay up for water and electricity!
I had to close the store today.
- What are you going to do? - Stop it. That's enough.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Why are you blocking me when I'm talking?
- Why did you do it, Tae-young? - He didn't pay me for my work.
Calm down, will you?
Didn't you promise to work for 2 months?
Threatening for money when he didn't keep his promise.
And, bringing his girlfriend to threaten me!
Settle this by calling it even for the glass and hitting the boy.
Did I hit an innocent boy?
I could've brought charges for theft.
But I didn't because he's like a son or a nephew.
You said I could eat the expired products!
Is he still out of his mind?
No more talking.
Pay for the broken glass, today's lost profits
and the cost for water and electricity.
Why did you hit a boy who's like a son or a nephew?
Why don't you pay him?
And, you're raising your voice?
What did you do right to raise your voice?
You should pay for the work he did for you.
Does he look like a pushover
because he worked in silence?
Who says you don't have to pay if he didn't fulfill 2 months?
I can't pay you.
You apologize right now for hitting him.
And, give him his paycheck.
Right now!
Here's the rest of the paycheck.
Take it. You worked hard for it.
- The food's getting cold. Eat up. - Yes, ma'am.
- Why did you do it? - Well, that's...
It was unfair.
I did it because I felt that it was unfair.
I'm so sorry.
I...
I shouldn't have become the union leader.
I couldn't even be responsible.
Dong-jun.
Where there's an uphill, there's a downhill.
And, if there's a tearful day, there's a day for smiles.
Don't be discouraged!
Though the tent's ruined and you're in here,
we still feel the same.
MY PRETTY MOMMY
Hello?
It's me, Sun-hee.
How's Min-su? Doing better?
Hae-mee...
When we occupied the store,
do you remember when it rained?
I sometimes think of that day.
I thanked you for leading the way.
What I could've never dreamed of doing
I did it thanks to you.
Hae-mee.
Later on, let's work happily together like then.
Bye.
- Oh, my! - Hello, ma'am!
- Welcome! - How are you?
Thank you very much.
Min-jung!
I don't think we should end it like this.
I know, but...
Ok-soon!
Tae-young. Min-young. Why are you staying like this?
Electricity man disconnected it, so, we can't watch TV.
Be quiet.
He told me to tell mom!
NOTICE OF ELECTRICITY CUTOFF
Here.
I couldn't sleep when I couldn't get paid.
I thought it was so unfair.
You stood up for me against the unfairness.
Here.
I worked to go on the school trip.
But, I'm not going.
Some other kid's not going, too.
I'm lending it to you. So pay it back.
With a lot of interest.
All right.
Thank you.
Tae-young.
I won't be able to come home for a while.
I'll put in a good word with dad.
And, don't worry about Min-young.
Have a nice day.
Hello.
Customer No. 132, please.
Thank you.
Have a nice day.
Everyone...
Everyone!
Is customer No. 137 there?
One moment please.
Hey.
Everyone!
Excuse us. Excuse us.
Two, three...
I'm sorry.
Passing through. Excuse me.
I used to work here a couple of months ago.
I worked like a fool working overtime
and not missing one day of work.
I thought that would benefit the company and me, too.
Then, I got fired all of a sudden.
What are you doing?
WE'RE NOT EVENT PRODUCTS. WE ARE IRREPLACEABLE HUMAN BEINGS.
A few months ago, I worked like a fool at the checkout counter.
Today, I'm shouting out to you.
END THIS FIGHT FAST SO WE CAN GO BACK TO BEING A MOM AND A WIFE.
What we want isn't something big.
We just want you to see us.
We just want you to hear our story.
Over there! Pull them out!
We just don't want to be treated invisible.
What we want is...
What we want is to be treated like a human being.
Treat us like a human being.
All we ask is to treat us as human beings.
Treat us as human beings.
Let me go!
SEOUL RIOT POLICE
You can't do this!
I won't go. I won't!
Sun-hee
Hae-mee
Their fight against massive layoffs and labor union repression lasted for a long time.
In the end, many workers were able to return to work on the condition that the leaders of the union,
who led the strike give up on their own reinstatement.
It was half of the victory achieved through their sacrifice.