Former Jeonunryeon Chairman Claiming Union Status Appointed as Executive of Business Association

Jeonunryeon Exercises Union Status Despite Ministry of Employment's Non-Recognition, Announces Refusal to Operate
"Vice President of Business Group with Opposite Nature Appointed, Moral Wrongdoing... Leadership Must Be Replaced"

Regarding the negotiation of ready-mixed concrete (remicon) transportation fees in the Seoul metropolitan area, the National Federation of Ready-Mixed Concrete Transporters (Jeonunryeon) under the Korean Federation of Trade Unions has warned of a refusal to operate if negotiations are not concluded by the 7th. Meanwhile, Lim Young-taek, chairman of Jeonunryeon, has been appointed vice president of the Korea Construction Equipment Association.

Members of the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Transport Federation (Jeonwoolyeon) under the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) held a rally on the morning of June 22 in front of Yeouido Park, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, urging collective bargaining for transportation fee increases.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the remicon industry on the 2nd, Jeonunryeon filed an application on May 13th with the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission (Gyeonggi Jinowi) requesting recognition of union status, but the commission dismissed the application, viewing remicon transport drivers as more akin to individual business owners than employees. Jeonunryeon requested a reconsideration from the Central Labor Relations Commission (Jungnowi) under the Ministry of Employment and Labor, but on June 20th, Jungnowi also dismissed the request, stating that the initial decision was upheld. Jeonunryeon is currently pursuing administrative litigation.

Despite a 2006 Supreme Court ruling that "remicon drivers cannot be recognized as workers under the Labor Union Act" and subsequent denials of union status, Jeonunryeon continues to exert union status in various negotiations, pressuring remicon operators with threats of general strikes, causing headaches in the remicon industry.

Amid this, when Lim Young-taek, chairman of Jeonunryeon, was elected vice president at the Korea Construction Equipment Association board meeting held on June 5th at the Construction Equipment Hall in Seocho-dong, Seoul, voices of criticism erupted within the industry.

The Korea Construction Equipment Association’s bylaws specify that "regular members are general, individual, or joint registered businesses that have completed membership registration and are registered under the Construction Equipment Management Act as construction equipment rental businesses." In reality, the association represents the rights and interests of construction equipment operators and rental businesses nationwide, and most executives introduced on the association’s website are company representatives.

A remicon industry insider said, "Jeonunryeon is a labor union affiliated with the Korean Federation of Trade Unions, advocating for workers’ rights, but the board of directors of the Korea Construction Equipment Association mostly consists of company representatives representing the employer side," adding, "Although legally there may be no problem with the chairman of Jeonunryeon being appointed vice president of a business organization with the opposite nature, it is morally wrong."

In particular, this fact came to light amid suspicions within Jeonunryeon about the unreasonable use of activity funds by Chairman Lim and other union leaders, and depending on the decision regarding the upcoming general strike, calls for leadership replacement may arise.

A member of Jeonunryeon, Mr. K, said, "There are rumors that the chairman’s monthly salary is guaranteed at 8 million won, but it’s hard to believe," and added, "Shouldn’t the salary be decided by a vote of the union members? Regardless of the outcome of the vote on the general strike, the leadership should be replaced."

In response, Chairman Lim explained in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "Remicon transport drivers are classified as special-type workers (special employment), and since the union was approved in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, there is no problem with our activities," and clarified, "As vice president of the Korea Construction Equipment Association, I am only listed as the representative of the remicon category among the 27 types designated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, but I do not actually engage in activities."