First Arrest of a Minju No Chong Union Member on Charges of Obstructing Paris Baguette Bread Transportation

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Amid the ongoing strike by the Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which delivers bread and ingredients for SPC Group's franchise Paris Baguette, now entering its 20th day, a union member has been arrested for the first time.

According to the police on the 23rd, the Daejeon District Court issued an arrest warrant for Mr. A, who is suspected of obstructing business, on the 21st. Mr. A is accused of obstructing the operation of a cargo truck carrying Paris Baguette products on a road in Bugang-myeon, Sejong City, on the afternoon of the 15th. Additionally, the Hampyeong Police Station in Jeollanam-do announced that on the 17th, a man identified as Mr. B, suspected of deliberately cutting the fuel supply line of a delivery driver's vehicle deployed as a substitute worker, was booked on charges of special property damage and obstruction of business, and it is under investigation whether he is a member of the Cargo Solidarity union. So far, about 50 union members have been booked.

The KCTU Cargo Solidarity Headquarters held expanded executive resolution meetings at two locations on the same day: the SPC Samlip factory in Geumnam-myeon, Sejong City, and the SPC Samlip factory in Cheongju, Chungbuk. Approximately 300 people participated in each of the two gatherings.

The Cargo Solidarity has been on strike at SPC workplaces since the 2nd. The strike began due to conflicting opinions between delivery drivers affiliated with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and those affiliated with the KCTU. KCTU delivery drivers demanded an increase in the number of vehicles from the transportation company contracted by SPC Group, under the condition that the freight charges remain the same, to reduce working hours. The company accepted this and added two more vehicles. However, during the process of negotiating delivery route adjustments and operational methods, delivery drivers affiliated with FKTU and KCTU clashed over securing favorable routes. The operation of delivery routes is the exclusive responsibility of the transportation company contracted by the company and is not subject to company intervention.

Although the transportation company attempted mediation, the KCTU side insisted on unconditional acceptance of their proposed plan and began refusing deliveries in a strike starting early on the 3rd. After SPC terminated contracts with 11 transportation companies nationwide, including those in the Gwangju area, on the 14th and notified that Paris Baguette franchisees would seek damages, the solidarity strike began on the 14th. About 200 vehicles, accounting for approximately 30% of all delivery vehicles, joined the refusal to transport.

The Cargo Solidarity stated, "The strike is for improving labor conditions," and claimed, "The union is being suppressed by unilateral contract termination." On the other hand, the company demanded the strike be stopped, saying, "It threatens the business rights of franchise stores." The company is deploying substitute vehicles to minimize damage to franchisees. So far, supplies have been delivered without major disruptions.

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