Remicon Union Gathered in Yeouido... "Strike Inevitable if Negotiations Refused"

Urging User Groups to Participate in Negotiations
Requesting Government to Guide Settlement of Talks

The Ready-Mix Concrete Transport Labor Union under the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) held a rally urging the employers' association to participate in negotiations for transportation fee increases.

On the 22nd, the union held a rally in front of Yeouido Park in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, stating, "The ready-mix concrete employers' association is refusing collective bargaining and provoking strikes, driving integrated negotiations toward a breakdown," and "If the employers' association continues with insincere negotiations, an all-out struggle including a general strike this year will be inevitable."

Members of the Korea Labor Union Confederation (KCTU) Ready-Mix Concrete Transport Workers' Union held a rally on the morning of the 22nd in front of Yeouido Park in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, urging collective bargaining for increased transportation fees.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

They continued, "The government must actively guide the negotiations to be smoothly resolved to stabilize labor-management relations for ready-mix concrete transport workers, who are classified as special-type workers," and urged, "Recognize the ready-mix concrete transport workers as workers under the Labor Union Act and guarantee their basic labor rights." Approximately 8,000 union members were estimated to have gathered at the rally, according to the organizers.

Earlier, the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission dismissed the 'Correction of Failure to Announce Negotiation Request' application filed last month by the Ready-Mix Concrete Transport Union against 111 ready-mix concrete companies. This was interpreted as the labor authorities not recognizing the ready-mix concrete transport union as a 'union,' and the employers have been using this as a basis to reject the union's negotiation demands.

In response, the Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Ready-Mix Concrete Transport Union plans to begin a general strike refusing transportation starting from the 24th.