Following the Cargo Solidarity, Korea Post Parcel Service Also 'Strikes'... "Strict Measures"

Ujeong Business Headquarters Issues Public Warning on the 13th

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Amid nationwide logistics disruptions caused by the Cargo Solidarity strike, even the Korea Post parcel service is facing setbacks.

According to the Korea Post Headquarters on the 13th, the National Parcel Workers' Union Korea Post Branch recently withdrew its tentative agreement on fee increases and decided to go on strike if the initial demand for a 10% increase is not accepted by the 18th.

Previously, on April 29, Korea Post and the Parcel Workers' Union Korea Post Branch had reached a tentative agreement for a 3% increase this year and efforts to secure a budget for another 3% increase next year. However, the union withdrew this agreement, filed for mediation with the Central Labor Relations Commission, and reasserted the initial demand for a 10% increase. They also opposed the inclusion of clauses allowing volume adjustments and contract termination in the new contract, calling it a "slave contract."

Specifically, Korea Post maintained the clause on daily standard volume in the contract with the parcel workers but included a provision to continuously discuss volume adjustments before the expiration of next year's collective agreement. Additionally, if the consignor cannot maintain the volume of parcel mail delivery or discontinues the parcel mail delivery business, a 60-day grace period is provided for contract termination. In response, the Parcel Workers' Union resolved to hold a warning strike on the 18th.

Korea Post stated on the day, "We regret the Parcel Workers' Union's decision to hold a warning strike over partial adjustments to the contract termination and suspension clauses, despite the fact that disagreements over standard volume and fees have been practically resolved through our proposed amendments to the contract revision requested by the union." They pointed out, "The contract suspension clause raised by the union specifies measures already present in the current contract, and the contract termination clause is necessary due to possible changes in business conditions such as a decrease in mail volume."

According to Korea Post, the current contract only stipulates immediate contract termination or suspension for "customer information leakage, refusal to deliver without just cause, and repeated serious complaints." In contrast, the proposed revision specifies graduated measures based on the number of occurrences: request for recurrence prevention (1st time) → 5-day contract suspension (2nd time) → contract suspension for 10 to 30 days (3rd time) → contract termination (4th time), which Korea Post argues is actually more favorable to the delivery agents.

Korea Post also stated that attaching union promotional materials to customers' mail or front doors causes inconvenience to customers and is not permissible. They added that posting banners or advertisements on delivery vehicles must comply with the Outdoor Advertising Act (abbreviated), which is why this was newly included in the contract revision proposal. Furthermore, since the Labor Standards Act includes provisions for "dismissal due to business reasons" even for regular workers, the introduction of a contract termination clause for business reasons concerning individual parcel delivery contractors is not excessive, they explained.

A Korea Post official said, "As we have been negotiating with the Parcel Workers' Union so far, we will continue to seek solutions through ongoing communication," adding, "If the strike actually proceeds, Korea Post delivery workers will make additional deliveries within their capacity to minimize customer inconvenience, and any illegal activities will be strictly dealt with according to law and principles."