'Post Office Courier 2700 Employees' Strike Vote on the 20th'

On the 23rd, Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT and Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Dong-geun are experiencing a parcel box with a hole handle at the Seoul Central Post Office. The hole handle on the parcel box was created for ease of transport. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, the Post Office Courier Union is set to hold a strike authorization vote. The National Courier Union Post Office Headquarters announced a strike authorization vote scheduled for the 20th and 21st following the breakdown of collective bargaining with the employer, the Post Office Logistics Support Group. The Support Group stated that due to the government's strengthened quarantine measures and the occurrence of confirmed cases within the organization, it was necessary to adjust the negotiation schedule and that although written consultations were conducted, the union declared the negotiations broken. They added that they plan to continue attempting dialogue to conclude the negotiations.

On the 14th, the Support Group released an explanatory document titled "Facts Regarding the Breakdown of Collective Bargaining with the Post Office Headquarters of the Courier Union." This was in response to the union's declaration of a general strike during a press conference held the previous day in front of the Gwanghwamun Post Office in Jongno-gu, stating, "We repeatedly requested the employer to comply with delivery volumes, improve the sorting process, and limit volumes in specific areas, but were repeatedly rejected," explaining the reasons behind the strike declaration.

Unavoidable Schedule Changes Due to COVID-19 Response vs. Rejection of Video Conference Requests

On the 18th, the reception counter at Gwanghwamun Post Office in Seoul appeared quiet due to delays and suspension of acceptance for international express (EMS) mail delivery. The acceptance of international express (EMS) mail to over 40 countries has been suspended as international flights were canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Even for countries where acceptance is possible, delivery times are delayed due to reduced flights and increased volume. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Both sides interpreted the other's willingness to negotiate differently. The union claimed that despite agreeing on negotiation schedules, the negotiations were halted due to COVID-19, and that their requests to reduce the number of negotiators and hold video conferences were refused. On the other hand, the Support Group responded that due to year-end and New Year quarantine reinforcement measures and the establishment of response plans following five confirmed cases within the Support Group, schedule changes were unavoidable. They added that during the postponement period, written consultations between labor and management were conducted to facilitate smooth negotiations.

The union also pointed out the employer's failure to implement agreed matters. They stated that demands for compliance with the agreed delivery volume of 190 items, improvement of unpaid sorting work, and establishment of a labor-management council were refused for discussion. The Support Group replied that they are complying with the agreed delivery volumes and have continuously increased sorting personnel, reducing the ratio from one team per 6.2 persons in September last year to one team per 5.3 persons as of December the same year. They also countered that despite receiving higher sorting fees compared to private courier companies (1,213 KRW per item versus 805 KRW per item), the union is demanding an additional 30 KRW per item. Regarding the labor-management council, they stated that there is no legal obligation to establish one under current law, but regular labor-management consultations are being conducted.

Additionally, the union demanded the abolition of consolidated delivery points such as dormitories, company premises, and return centers, and the cessation of unilateral district adjustments by the Support Group. The Support Group countered that consolidated delivery points can be supplemented if necessary and that district adjustments are mutually consulted one month in advance through collective bargaining between labor and management.

Continuous Attempts at Dialogue vs. Strike Authorization Vote on the 20th-21st

On the 28th, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection increases, residents are purchasing masks at Munsan Post Office in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung, Paju aymsdream@

With less than a month until the Lunar New Year, the two sides have entered a tense standoff, raising concerns about a general strike and the resulting logistics disruption. The union stated, "Although we feel heavy-hearted thinking about the inconvenience citizens will face due to a nationwide simultaneous general strike by Post Office courier workers, we have no choice but to fight." The Post Office Headquarters of the Courier Union has about 2,700 members, representing approximately 70% of all subcontracted Post Office courier workers. The Support Group stated, "Despite the union's declaration of broken negotiations, the Post Office Logistics Support Group will continue to attempt dialogue and plans to conclude the negotiations between labor and management."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.