Coupang logistics center workers have announced a strike scheduled for August 1 and 15, demanding safer working conditions.
The Coupang Logistics Center Branch is holding a strike declaration press conference in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News
On July 24, the Coupang Logistics Center Branch of the Public Transport Workers' Union, which is part of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), held a press conference in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. They declared, "We will hold a one-day strike on August 1 and 15, halting Rocket Delivery operations."
Jung Dongheon, head of the Coupang Logistics Center Branch, stated, "At the National Assembly Coupang hearing in January, Kang Hansung, CEO of Coupang, and Jung Jongcheol, CEO of Coupang Fulfillment Services (CFS), appeared and apologized, promising to change the workplace. However, even after half a year since the hearing, nothing has changed at the site."
Jung emphasized, "We will ensure that the revised industrial safety and health regulations, achieved through the sacrifices of workers, are implemented at the workplace," and added, "We will transform the stifling logistics centers into safe working environments for everyone."
Contract workers plan to participate in the strike by collectively using annual leave, taking health-related leave, refusing to work overtime, and not coming to work. Daily workers will join by refusing to apply for shifts. The union also urged citizens to participate in a one-day boycott on August 14.
The union has been conducting a signature campaign with demands including a guaranteed 20-minute break for every two hours of work, expansion of rest areas and air conditioners at the workplace, and fulfillment of the promises made during the National Assembly Coupang hearing. Since the campaign began on June 11, 1,620 Coupang logistics center workers have participated.
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