Ready-mix Concrete Transport Union Reaches Transport Fee Agreement... Normal Operations Resume from Tomorrow

Agreed on 24.5% Transport Fee Increase Over 2 Years... 7,700 Won Increase This Year, 6,000 Won Additional Increase Next Year

On the morning of the 1st, participants shouted slogans at the rally to defend the right to livelihood of ready-mix concrete transport workers held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] The Ready-Mix Concrete Transport Labor Union (Transport Union) and ready-mix concrete manufacturers have reached an agreement on transportation fees.

At the negotiation held on the 4th, the Transport Union and ready-mix concrete manufacturers in the metropolitan area agreed to increase the current transportation fee of 56,000 KRW per trip by 24.5% over two years. Accordingly, the ready-mix mixer trucks, which had stopped transportation since the 1st, will resume normal operation starting tomorrow.

The Transport Union and ready-mix concrete manufacturers agreed to raise the fee by 7,700 KRW this year and an additional 6,000 KRW next year, totaling an increase of 13,700 KRW. They also agreed to apply a 50% transportation fee for the reclaimed water (wastewater) remaining in the mixer trucks after batching at the ready-mix plant and on-site pouring.

Other demands such as 100% payment of diesel exhaust fluid, a holiday bonus of 1 million KRW, a time-off allowance of 1 million KRW, and a performance bonus of 1 million KRW per person (twice a year) were withdrawn.

Kim Hee-gwi, Secretary General of the Transport Union, stated, "Since everyone is facing difficulties, we accepted the two-year installment increase plan from a national perspective and agreed to compromise on the other conditions," adding, "Starting tomorrow, the vehicles will operate normally."

Kim Jang-su, Secretary General of the Korea Ready-Mix Concrete Industry Association, said, "It is fortunate that the negotiations were concluded without extending over the weekend," and added, "Other conditions were withdrawn. We agreed to resume normal operations starting tomorrow based on mutual trust."