HiteJinro Faces Shipment Disruptions Due to Cargo Solidarity Gangwon Factory Sit-in... Beer Shipment Rate at 29%

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] The Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) is disrupting beer shipments by staging a protest at the HiteJinro Gangwon Plant.

According to the liquor industry on the 3rd, about 110 Cargo Solidarity union members began a sit-in protest around 5:20 p.m. the previous day, blocking the access road to the HiteJinro Gangwon Plant located in Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province, using about 20 cargo trucks and 6 speaker vehicles. Among the protesting union members were cargo truck owners affiliated with Suyang Logistics, who had been striking at the Icheon and Cheongju plants. Notably, the number of protesters increased to about 200 on this day.

HiteJinro's Gangwon Plant, which produces beer, has seen its shipment rate drop to 29% of normal levels due to the inability to load and unload goods in the morning and afternoon caused by the protest. HiteJinro expects the protest to continue at the Gangwon Plant this week as some of the protesters from the Icheon Plant have joined the Gangwon Plant protest. A HiteJinro official stated, "The protest in front of the Gangwon Plant, unrelated to the strikes at the Icheon and Cheongju plants, is a malicious and unjustified disruption of business," adding, "We will hold them fully accountable."

Meanwhile, Suyang Logistics is negotiating with cargo truck owners transporting soju from the Icheon and Cheongju plants. It is reported that Suyang Logistics has presented a final proposal including a 150% increase in holiday transportation fees, which the truck owners had demanded. Suyang Logistics has stated that it will not hold accountable the truck owners who return to work by the 8th and will also seek work arrangements for those affiliated with Myungmi International, whose contracts were terminated, if they wish to return.