Cargo Solidarity Union to End Lobby Sit-in at HiteJinro Tomorrow... Will Continue on Rooftop

The Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union, affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, held a rally on the 18th in front of the Hite Jinro headquarters in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, demanding the withdrawal of mass layoffs and damage compensation lawsuits by Hite Jinro. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Myunghwan] The Cargo Solidarity Hitejinro Branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Public Transport Workers' Union, which has been occupying the lobby of Hitejinro headquarters for eight days, has decided to lift the lobby occupation. However, the rooftop sit-in protest will continue.

The Cargo Solidarity announced on the 23rd that starting from 10 a.m. on the 24th, they will end the lobby occupation at the headquarters and continue only the rooftop protest.

The Cargo Solidarity stated, "We will continue the rooftop sit-in but lift the lobby occupation to open dialogue with Hitejinro," and urged, "Now Hitejinro must respond to the cargo workers' call for dialogue." They added, "We have repeatedly expressed willingness to negotiate on all other matters if the withdrawal of the injunction and seizure and the reinstatement of dismissed workers are guaranteed, but the management has not provided a clear response," emphasizing, "A real decision from Hitejinro, the actual president, is necessary."

Since occupying the headquarters, union members have been negotiating with management daily but have struggled to narrow their differences. They are demanding the withdrawal of damage compensation lawsuits and injunctions, reinstatement of dismissed workers, and realistic transportation fees.

As of this morning, about 20 union members are occupying the headquarters lobby, and 9 are on the rooftop. The Cargo Solidarity union members suddenly occupied the first floor and rooftop of Hitejinro headquarters in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 16th of this month.