Government-Freight Solidarity Negotiations Fail... Government "Difficult to Accept Expansion of Items"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The first negotiation between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) and the Cargo Solidarity, held five days after the Cargo Solidarity continued its general strike, ended in failure. Although both sides agreed to meet again at the Government Complex Sejong on the 30th for a second round of talks, the difference in positions over the Safe Freight Rate System remains, making it difficult to reach an agreement.

The negotiation between the government and the Cargo Solidarity, held at 2 p.m. on the 28th at the Government Complex Sejong, ended after 1 hour and 50 minutes with only a reaffirmation of their differing positions.

From the government side, Deputy Minister Eo Myeong-so and Logistics Policy Director Gu Heon-sang of MOLIT attended, while from the Cargo Solidarity, Senior Vice Chairman Kim Tae-young participated.

Deputy Minister Eo Myeong-so stated, "Regarding containers and bulk cement trailers (BCT), we conveyed the position to extend the Safe Freight Rate System for three years, but it is difficult to accept expanding it to other items," adding, "We requested an early return to work amid the difficult economy and visible damages."

Immediately after the negotiation breakdown, the Cargo Solidarity issued a statement saying, "We demanded the government withdraw the work commencement order and requested MOLIT’s position on parts of the Cargo Solidarity’s demands that can be practically negotiated," and explained, "We also mentioned that we would take a progressive stance on each demand to reach an agreement."

They added, "At the negotiation table, MOLIT’s response to this stance of the Cargo Solidarity was, ‘There is nothing MOLIT can respond to.’"

The government and Cargo Solidarity agreed to meet again at the Sejong Government Complex on the 30th to continue the second round of negotiations. The Cargo Solidarity demanded that Minister Won Hee-ryong of MOLIT personally engage in the dialogue.

The Cargo Solidarity urged, "We agreed to continue talks on the 30th," and said, "If the deputy minister does not have decision-making authority, we demand that the minister personally come out and continue dialogue with the Cargo Solidarity. Please participate sincerely in the talks."