Democratic Labor Union Cargo Solidarity Union Members Arrested for Blocking Paris Baguette Delivery Truck

First Nationwide Arrest Case Related to SPC vs. Cargo Solidarity Union Strike

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A union member belonging to the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Public Transport Workers' Union, who blocked the transportation of bread and ingredients to SPC Group franchises such as Paris Baguette, has been arrested.

The Daejeon District Court announced on the 23rd that it issued an arrest warrant on the 21st for union member A on charges of obstruction of business.

A is accused of obstructing the operation of a truck carrying Paris Baguette products on a road in Bugang-myeon, Sejong, on the evening of the 15th.

This is understood to be the first nationwide arrest case related to the Cargo Solidarity's refusal to transport and strike against SPC workplaces.

Seven other union members were also booked without detention on the same charges.

Following the refusal to transport bread and ingredients in the Honam region on the 2nd, the Cargo Solidarity expanded the transportation refusal nationwide from the 15th. On the same day, they held a rally in front of the SPC Samlip Sejong factory in Sejong City, stating, "This strike is to improve poor working conditions," and claimed, "SPC is maliciously responding by framing it as a dispute over vested interests and notifying contract termination."

During the rally, one union member was arrested on the spot on charges of obstruction of business after blocking the entry and exit of trucks inside the factory.

The police closely monitored for any violations of regulations in accordance with the social distancing level 3 measures implemented in Sejong City to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

To prevent the gathering of a large number of people, about 1,300 personnel and 60 vehicles were deployed to block the entrance to National Road No. 1 leading to the factory. Mobile units were also stationed in alleys and along embankments.

Sejong City issued an administrative order banning gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 due to the large-scale assembly.

Initially, the Cargo Solidarity reported that they would hold a rally with 49 participants "(in accordance with quarantine rules)," but the police confirmed that about 150 people (estimated 300 by the union) gathered at the rally site from the morning.

A Sejong Police Agency official said, "We will respond strictly according to relevant laws and principles, including the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act."