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Unionized nurses and the Seoul National University Hospital have locked horns over what the nurses deem is forced dancing and singing at the hospital’s year-end celebration. The nurses’ union is calling for the cancellation of the party, displaying big placards at the hospital to publicize the issue. The incident began with a letter to the union written by a nurse, who claims she and others working in the hospital’s operating rooms are forced to “entertain” senior doctors and hospital officials against their will during the party that is scheduled to take place on Dec. 8. “Please help us,” the nurse wrote in the letter. “Probably, 80 percent of nurses hate doing it, but no one dares to speak out for fear of offending the medical professors. Junior nurses have to practice singing and dancing until 9 or 10 p.m. after work for the preparation of the show and wear an evening dress (to the party) against their will.” Based on the claims in the letter, the union denounced the hospital’s plan to host the party, arguing it takes advantage of what should be an obsolete hierarchical culture. “We will take this seriously and take due action,” Lee Mi-sook, head of the nurses’ union at the hospital, said. “The operating room is a very exclusive place, where human rights abuses can take place. We’ll collect more information and talk to the hospital regarding this matter.” The union hopes the incident will be a turning point to change the hierarchical culture, she said. According to the hospital, a year-end party is hosted every three years with the participation of some 300 doctors, nurses and other staff who work in the operating room. They dine together and enjoy entertainment performed by the doctors and nurses. This year, nine nurses will sing “Tell Me Your Wish (Genie)” by Girls’ Generation and mimic the K-pop girl group’s dance in the opening performance. The hospital has refuted the claim by the nurses’ union, arguing the show at the party is organized and takes place through voluntary participation. “No one has ever forced nurses to sing and dance at the party against their will,” said Sung Won-yong, an official from the hospital. “We don’t tell them what to sing or what to wear.” Doctors will also show off their talent during the party by playing musical instruments, he said. “It is just a big gathering of those working in the operating room to encourage each other through a fun celebration,” he added.
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슈퍼지구 발견, "표면 온도 뜨거워 생명체 없을 듯"