Seoul: Around 60,000 non-regular school workers are set to go on strike this Friday to demand improved pay and working conditions, their union announced on Monday. The workers, primarily responsible for providing school meals and childcare, have decided to stage a one-day strike following unsuccessful negotiations with the education ministry and local education offices. These talks have been ongoing since June but have yet to yield a satisfactory agreement. According to Yonhap News Agency, union representatives detailed their plans at a press conference, explaining that the non-regular workforce numbers approximately 170,000 nationwide, making up 41 percent of the entire school staff. Of these, about 60,000 are expected to participate in the strike action. The impact of the strike could lead to some schools substituting Friday's lunch meals with bakery goods and milk, while also hiring substitute staff to maintain childcare services. With the strike looming, schools are preparing for potential disruptions, highlighting the critical role these non-regular workers play within the educational system. The union's demands underscore the ongoing challenges faced by non-regular employees in securing fair compensation and working conditions comparable to their regular counterparts.