Coupang Logistics Center Union Requests 'Introductory Meeting' with Management... "Still No Response"

Union Directly Delivers Formal Request for Introductory Meeting to Management
"Please State Your Position by the 7th of Next Month"
"Fire Investigation and Workplace Inspection Must Be Conducted Together with the Union"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Coupang Logistics Center labor union has requested a formal meeting with management following the fire accident at the Deokpyeong Logistics Center. The union sent a message asking for recognition and to jointly discuss safety and health issues at the site. The union notified Coupang to make a decision by the 7th of next month.

The Public Transport Workers' Union National Logistics Center Branch Coupang Logistics Center Chapter held a press conference on the 18th in front of Coupang headquarters in Songpa-gu, Seoul, regarding the Deokpyeong Logistics Center fire accident. Afterwards, the union met with Coupang officials in the building's first-floor lobby and directly delivered a formal meeting request letter.

A union official said, "We don't even know who is in charge of labor affairs at Coupang, and there is no contact information on their website," adding, "We personally brought the letter to request opening a channel to discuss safety and health issues at the site, including the Deokpyeong fire accident, and requested a formal meeting."

This formal meeting request signifies recognition of the union's existence and a call for labor and management to come together to resolve safety and health issues, including working conditions. The union notified Coupang Fulfillment Services, a Coupang subsidiary, to inform them of the possibility of a formal meeting by the 7th of next month.

Kim Han-min, head of the National Logistics Center branch, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 21st, "We have not yet received a response from Coupang." He added, "While fire prevention and response need urgent resolution, I believe labor environment issues are also connected to the fire. Engaging in quick dialogue with the union is the attitude management should take."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Coupang's labor issues are not new. After a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred at the Bucheon Fresh Center, six workers at Coupang logistics centers died over the past year due to overwork or hazardous substances.

Once again, a gap in Coupang's working environment has been exposed. The fire accident at the Deokpyeong Logistics Center occurred just about two weeks after the union was established. Criticism poured in that worker safety was neglected in favor of fast delivery. It was confirmed that the sprinkler system was delayed for eight minutes during the fire, making a thorough investigation into illegal acts such as tampering unavoidable.

Coupang is aggressively investing with the goal of having logistics centers within 10 km nationwide by 2025. However, since fires at logistics centers can easily lead to major accidents, there is a need to maintain vigilance regarding fire risks.

Kang Han-seung, CEO of Coupang, stated in a press release on the 20th that they will actively cooperate with the fire cause investigation and conduct special inspections of all logistics centers and workplaces.

In response, Kim, the branch head, clearly stated, "The fire cause investigation and workplace inspections must be conducted objectively together with the union and civic groups."

He added, "Including solving the overwork death issue, looking at management's attitude so far, almost nothing has actually been done. Coupang claims to have conducted fire drills at the Deokpyeong Logistics Center, but union members who worked there say, 'They have never conducted one even once.'"