Public Transport Workers' Union "Following Cargo Solidarity Struggle to Defend Safe Freight Rates"

First Rally Held After Cargo Solidarity's Return to the Field
"Yoon Administration Broke Its Promise... Fighting on the Ground"

The Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Public Transport Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is holding a "Resolution Rally to Defend the Cargo Safety Freight Rate System" on the 10th in Yeouido. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hee-jun Jang] On the 10th, the day after the end of the general strike by the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (hereinafter Cargo Solidarity), members of the Public Service and Transport Workers' Union held a rally demanding the continuation and expansion of the Safe Freight Rate System.

At 2 p.m. that day, the Public Service and Transport Workers' Union held a resolution rally in front of the Korea Development Bank in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, demanding the defense of the Safe Freight Rate System, condemning the Yoon Seok-yeol government for union destruction, and condemning the National Assembly for neglecting public safety. This was the first rally held after the Cargo Solidarity returned to the field the previous day, with an estimated 1,000 participants according to the organizers.

In her opening speech, Hyun Jeong-hee, Chairperson of the Public Service and Transport Workers' Union, evaluated, "Despite the government's unconstitutional work commencement order and illegal suppression led by the Fair Trade Commission, the Cargo Solidarity strike made the public realize the necessity of the Safe Freight Rate System." She added, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the People Power Party broke laws and promises, and the National Assembly used people's livelihoods as a tool for political strife," and asserted, "We will inherit the struggle of Cargo Solidarity and definitely defend the Safe Freight Rate System."

Lee Bong-ju, Head of the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters, said in his speech, "Cargo Solidarity temporarily halted the struggle to protect the precarious logistics industry and minimize the damage and wounds of cargo workers," and stated, "The fight for the continuation and expansion of the Safe Freight Rate System and for public safety now begins on the ground."

After the rally, they marched to the Democratic Party and People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido and concluded the event.

Earlier, Cargo Solidarity had continued a general strike since the 24th of last month, demanding the abolition of the sunset clause of the Safe Freight Rate System and the expansion of applicable items, but decided to end the strike and return to the field after a vote among all union members the previous day.