After 10 Hours of Negotiations the Previous Day End in Breakdown... 27% of Union Members Participate in Strike That Day
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Cargo Solidarity Union are scheduled to hold the 4th round of negotiations and enter into dialogue at the Government Sejong Complex on the 12th, following the previous day. The two sides met from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. the day before to discuss measures to normalize logistics but failed to reach an agreement. As their positions remain at an impasse, concerns are rising that this strike may also enter a prolonged phase.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 12th, as of 10 a.m. that day, a total of 5,860 members, accounting for about 27% of the entire union dispersed across 14 regions nationwide, participated in the rally. About 3,700 people stayed overnight at more than 120 locations. In areas such as Jinhae and Busan, Cargo Solidarity Union members engaged in illegal acts such as throwing stones, eggs, and paint at cargo vehicles operating normally.
As of 10 a.m. that day, the equipment rate (71.5%) was slightly higher than usual (65.8%). The Ministry stated that due to localized transportation obstruction acts at some ports such as Busan Port and Ulsan Port, the volume of imports and exports decreased compared to normal times.
Additionally, disruptions such as decreased production and shipment volumes have occurred in some items including automobiles, steel, and cement; however, the Ministry reported that emergency shipments are being dispatched under police protection. To minimize logistics damage, the Ministry is implementing measures such as deploying company-specific transport personnel and government emergency transport plans. Furthermore, police forces are stationed at major logistics hubs to block illegal acts such as transportation obstruction and to protect operating vehicles, while alternative transport means such as military-commissioned container transport vehicles are being continuously deployed.
Meanwhile, on the previous day, the fifth day of the Cargo Solidarity Union’s general strike, the Ministry and the union held a third round of negotiations lasting over 10 hours but ended in failure. The Ministry shared the view that appropriate freight rates must be guaranteed to cargo truck owners and persuaded the union by pledging active support for legislative discussions in the National Assembly. However, the Cargo Solidarity Union reportedly reiterated its existing stance, including the abolition of the sunset clause on the safe freight rate system and expansion of applicable items.
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