Police Investigate 89 Cargo Solidarity Union Members for 'Disrupting SPC Workplace'... "Strict Response"

Officials from the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Public Transport Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a "Resolution Rally of Expanded Executives of the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters for Condemning Union Busting! Withdrawal of Unfair Dismissals! Victory in the SPC Struggle" in front of the SPC Samlip Sejong Factory in Sejong City on the afternoon of the 23rd, shouting slogans. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police have announced a firm stance to respond strictly to some members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Cargo Solidarity who recently went on strike and engaged in aggressive actions such as blocking the transportation of bread and ingredients of Paris Baguette and other SPC Group products, and assaulting truck drivers.

The National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency stated on the 24th, "We are currently investigating a total of 89 individuals on charges including obstruction of business and obstruction of official duties in relation to a series of illegal acts such as blocking entry and exit occurring at SPC workplaces nationwide."

The union strike began on the 2nd in Gwangju and expanded to nationwide workplaces from the 15th. The union members claim that despite the increase in Paris Baguette stores leading to increased delivery volume and distance, the number of delivery vehicles has not increased, causing them to suffer from excessive workloads. The Cargo Solidarity condemned SPC at a press conference, saying, "SPC broke the agreement that was repeatedly negotiated," and "As the struggle began, SPC started union suppression through mass dismissals and claims for damages."

However, aggressive acts by union members have continued during the strike and rallies. On the 15th in Sejong, union members blocked trucks heading to the Paris Baguette logistics center and collectively assaulted the truck drivers. On the 17th, at a highway rest area, the fuel supply line of a truck transporting Paris Baguette bread was deliberately cut. Additionally, in Daegu, two union members who entered under a transport vehicle to obstruct its entry and exit were detained by the police and are under investigation.

As aggressive acts continued, the first case of union member detention occurred. The Daejeon District Court issued an arrest warrant on the 21st for union member A on charges of obstruction of business. A is known to be one of the perpetrators in the truck driver assault incident. The National Investigation Headquarters emphasized, "We will continue to conduct swift and strict investigations consistently according to law and principles regarding future illegal acts."