KCCI: "Courier Union Pursues Profit Under the Pretext of Companies"

Workers are sorting delivery packages at the CJ Logistics Icheon MP Hub Terminal.

Claims that the subsidy payments are low are also countered by the argument that the costs for sorting operations are relatively low due to the establishment of a high-level wheel sorter (automatic sorting device) system compared to other companies, resulting in lower subsidy payments. Since CJ Logistics first began installing automated sorting systems in the industry in 2016, the cumulative investment over five years has reached approximately 200 billion KRW.

In fact, last year, CJ Logistics reported that the average revenue per delivery worker was 85.18 million KRW, and net income was 64.89 million KRW, explaining that wage increases have been made through commission distribution. The delivery workers' union's revision of the excess profit amount from the original 350 billion KRW to 300 billion KRW is also interpreted as a measure partially reflecting this situation.

CJ Logistics also explained that the delivery workers' union's claims regarding problematic clauses such as same-day delivery, six-day workweeks, and mandatory delivery of terminal-arrived goods are misleading. The company clarified that these clauses are additional provisions in the standard contract approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, agreed upon between agencies and delivery workers.

While the union argues that the same-day delivery and six-day workweek systems are major causes of delivery workers' overwork deaths, the company countered that the same-day delivery system allows for an 8-hour workday starting at noon, and that introducing a five-day workweek without social consensus with consumers is premature. Furthermore, the mandatory delivery of terminal-arrived goods pertains to non-standard parcel items and operates under a system where delivery is prioritized first, with additional fees charged afterward.

The delivery industry rather insists that the CJ Logistics delivery workers' union should refrain from forcing unreasonable strikes using consumers' goods as leverage during holidays and year-end seasons. In fact, the CJ Logistics delivery workers' union has conducted a total of four general strikes this year alone. The union went on strike on January 29, two weeks before the Lunar New Year, demanding the implementation of social agreements, and held additional strikes on June 9 (second strike) and October 30 (third strike).

Including partial strikes within agencies, the total number of strikes throughout the year increases. Disputes continue unabated, such as the strike demanding the withdrawal of dismissed members of the Changnyeong branch in February and the partial strike triggered by conflicts between the Seongnam branch agency and affiliated delivery workers in July.

The Korea Employers Federation stated, "This strike will severely impact the daily lives of citizens who have become increasingly dependent on online procurement of daily necessities due to strengthened quarantine measures," and urged, "The delivery workers' union should withdraw this unjustified strike that uses specific individual companies as a pretext to pursue their own interests, causing harm to citizens' lives and the national economy."

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