Forming a Crisis Response Team for the Post Office Courier Strike

Postal Service Delivery Workers' Union members are holding a general resolution rally for postal delivery workers on the 13th at Sejong-daero, Gwanghwamun, Seoul. They claimed, "The contract presented by the Korea Post Headquarters is a wage reduction contract and a slave contract that specifies easy dismissal." Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The Korea Post announced on the 16th that it will operate a crisis response task force (TF) to minimize inconveniences caused by the courier union strike. The courier union's post office headquarters has planned a warning strike on the 18th.

The Korea Post decided to notify customers in advance about delivery delays through post office counters, phone lines, and its website. Parcel mail acceptance will proceed normally at post office counters used by the general public, but considering the delivery capacity of postal workers, the acceptance volume from large contracted companies will be partially restricted.

Additionally, acceptance of fresh food requiring refrigeration or freezing will be suspended both at post office counters and for large contracted companies. The Korea Post plans to strengthen safety measures, such as preventing overloading of mail when postal workers deliver parcels by motorcycle and ensuring they return to the post office before sunset to prevent safety accidents and heat-related illnesses during summer.

The Korea Post will seek solutions promptly through continuous communication. However, it stated that if union members participating in the strike engage in illegal acts such as obstructing normal parcel delivery, strict measures will be taken according to law and principles.

The courier union's post office headquarters raised issues regarding the revised individual consignment contract and, after a strike vote on the 9th and 10th, decided to proceed with the strike.