Kakao Union "Collective Bargaining Talks Fail... Request Mediation at Labor Commission"

"'Empty Reform Talk' No Discussion Possible with Management"

The Kakao Branch of the National Chemical, Textile, and Food Industry Labor Union (hereinafter referred to as the Kakao Union) announced on the 3rd that collective bargaining negotiations with management have broken down.

On the 29th, the Kakao Union sent a notice of negotiation breakdown to management and shared the declaration of breakdown on the company bulletin board. On the 3rd, they also filed a mediation request with the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission.

The Kakao Branch of the National Chemical Fiber Food Industry Labor Union announced on the 3rd that collective bargaining negotiations with Kakao have broken down.
[Image=Kakao Union]

Through the declaration of breakdown, the Kakao Union criticized the management reform process over the past year. They stated that management did not discuss the union's reform demands submitted as part of the collective agreement and distorted the facts by presenting some reform tasks as completed.

Furthermore, the union claimed, "It is unclear how the reform tasks related to management are progressing, but restructuring and sales that worsen workers' employment conditions are becoming more active," and added, "We need to reflect on the essence of the crisis and what caused Kakao's current difficulties."

Seo Seung-wook, head of the Kakao Union branch, said, "The company has delayed negotiations with an insincere attitude by postponing schedules or not submitting agenda items," and added, "We have now judged that further discussions with the company are impossible and have declared the breakdown." The union plans to push for reform using all possible means and methods, including collective actions.