Government-Cargo Solidarity Working-Level Meeting Achieved... Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Urges "Strike Withdrawal and Return"

On the 7th, when the Cargo Solidarity Union launched a general strike demanding the abolition of the sunset clause on safe freight rates and an increase in transportation fees due to high oil prices, the inland container depot (ICD) in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province was seen. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The government and the Cargo Solidarity Union entered the second round of negotiations on the morning of the 10th. This is three days after the start of the general strike and eight days after the first round of talks.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) stated, "Eom Myung-so, the 2nd Vice Minister, met with the chairman of the Cargo Solidarity Union at the Government Sejong Complex starting at 10 a.m. and has been conducting working-level meetings since 11 a.m."

MOLIT said, "We have continuously communicated to resolve the collective refusal of transportation issue," and added, "We will continue dialogue and maintain practical discussions regarding the Cargo Solidarity Union's demands, including the Safe Freight Rate system."

While opening the door to dialogue, MOLIT has deployed police forces at major logistics hubs to block illegal acts such as transportation obstruction and to protect operating vehicles.

MOLIT stated, "Police forces have been deployed at key logistics points to prevent illegal acts such as transportation obstruction and to protect operating vehicles," and added, "Alternative transportation means, such as military-contracted container transport vehicles, are also being continuously deployed."

Fatigue caused by the strike is gradually accumulating at major logistics bases such as ports.

The storage rate (70.8%) is at normal levels (65.8%), but localized transportation obstruction has occurred at some ports like Busan Port and Ulsan Port, resulting in a decrease in cargo throughput compared to normal times. Disruptions have occurred with shipments decreasing in items such as automobiles, steel, and cement.

Emergency cargo is being dispatched in cooperation with the police, and logistics damage is being minimized through emergency transport measures such as deploying alternative transport means like official vehicles and permitting paid private vehicle transport.

Furthermore, while guaranteeing the Cargo Solidarity Union's freedom of assembly and association, the government has repeatedly warned that it will strictly respond to illegal acts such as obstructing the transport of normally operating vehicles. MOLIT emphasized, "We once again urge the Cargo Solidarity Union to withdraw the collective refusal of transportation and return immediately."