Unresolved HiteJinro and Cargo Solidarity Conflict... No Sign of Resolution After Half a Year

HiteJinro-Cargo Solidarity Conflict Prolonged
21st Negotiation Held Until Previous Day... No Progress in Talks
Disagreements Over Reinstatement Spark Signs of Renewed Conflict
Police Request Second Appearance from Union

On the 18th, the third day of the protest by the Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union, affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, occupying the Hite Jinro headquarters in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, a banner with their demands was hung on the building's exterior wall. Workers are staging a high-altitude sit-in on the rooftop billboard. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The conflict between HiteJinro and the Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union has been ongoing for nearly half a year, resulting in a stalemate. Negotiations over transportation fee increases and withdrawal of damage compensation lawsuits have shown little progress, and the conflict between the two sides shows signs of becoming prolonged.

According to industry sources on the 2nd, HiteJinro, its freight transportation subcontractor Suyang Logistics, and the Cargo Solidarity HiteJinro branch held a total of 21 rounds of negotiations until the day before, but there was no significant progress. There are still large differences in opinion regarding the reinstatement of union members whose contracts were terminated. The Cargo Solidarity side demands an increase in transportation fees, reinstatement of the dismissed union members, and withdrawal of damage compensation lawsuits and injunctions for obstruction of business filed against union members. Suyang Logistics proposed reducing the number of initially terminated union members from 12 to 7, but the Cargo Solidarity side is demanding full reinstatement.

In previous negotiations, only executives such as the executive director and managing director of Suyang Logistics and the Cargo Solidarity leadership attended, but now the CEO of Suyang Logistics is directly participating as a negotiation party, and the logistics team leader of HiteJinro headquarters is attending as an observer. HiteJinro originally maintained the position that the headquarters could not directly intervene in employment issues under the Subcontracting Act, but it has now stepped back from that stance.

As negotiations remain difficult, the occupation protest continues. Previously, Cargo Solidarity union members had been occupying the lobby and rooftop of the HiteJinro headquarters building since the 16th of last month, but lifted the lobby occupation on the 24th when HiteJinro agreed to participate in negotiations as an observer. The rooftop occupation protest is still ongoing.

Although both sides appeared to make some concessions and the negotiations seemed to open up, the conflict has flared up again as differences remain wide. Cargo Solidarity is criticizing HiteJinro for filing damage compensation lawsuits against 11 union members on June 17 and subsequently filing similar lawsuits against another 14 union members. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a rally with about 1,300 participants in front of the headquarters on the 31st of last month, condemning the company and demanding withdrawal of the lawsuits.

Separately, criminal proceedings are underway against union members occupying the headquarters. On the 17th of last month, HiteJinro filed complaints with the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul against Cargo Solidarity union members occupying the headquarters on charges including obstruction of business, special trespassing and refusal to vacate, attempted arson of a building, and violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act. The complainants were questioned the following day. The police reportedly issued a second summons earlier this month to some union members.

About 130 truck owners affiliated with Suyang Logistics joined the Cargo Solidarity under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions at the end of March and began partial strikes, escalating to a full strike in June. They held multiple rallies at the Icheon, Cheongju, and Gangwon Hongcheon plants. During the rallies, truck entrances to the plants were blocked, preventing internal access and causing several shipment suspensions at each plant.