The General Strike Has Ended... But No Sign of Resolution in the 'HiteJinro-Truckers' Conflict

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The conflict between HiteJinro and the truck drivers affiliated with its freight transportation subcontractors over freight rate increases shows little sign of resolution.

According to industry sources on the 25th, truck drivers belonging to Suyang Logistics, a freight transportation subcontractor of HiteJinro, are still continuing their strike. Earlier, about 130 truck drivers from Suyang Logistics joined the Cargo Solidarity under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions at the end of March and began striking. Since then, the shipment of soju products from the Icheon and Cheongju plants, which handle 70% of HiteJinro's total soju production, has been disrupted. At one point, the product shipment rate dropped to 38% of normal levels.

Even after the general strike by Cargo Solidarity ended, they continue to refuse transportation and maintain the strike. Separately from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Cargo Solidarity's negotiations on the safe freight rate system, they are demanding increases in transportation fees and empty bottle freight charges, as well as payments for vehicle advertising, idling, and waiting costs.

Earlier, HiteJinro filed for damages against truck drivers who led rallies during the Cargo Solidarity strike under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. On the 17th, HiteJinro filed the first lawsuit for damages against active participants and is also proceeding with provisional seizure orders and injunctions to prohibit illegal assemblies and obstruction of business. A HiteJinro official stated, "Starting with this claim for damages, we plan to continuously collect and pursue claims for additional damages incurred by the company."

From the 26th of last month to the 8th of this month, HiteJinro also filed four criminal complaints against the rally leaders for obstruction of business, trespassing on residential buildings, assault causing injury, and other charges. They plan to selectively file additional complaints against others. Along with this, they sent official letters requesting crackdowns to Icheon City Hall and the Icheon Police Station.

In response, Cargo Solidarity held a press conference yesterday morning in front of the HiteJinro building in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, condemning the claims for damages and provisional seizures.

Currently, the product shipment rate at HiteJinro's Icheon and Cheongju plants has risen to about 80% of normal levels. HiteJinro has signed transportation contracts with one additional company, deploying a total of two companies for product shipments. A HiteJinro official said, "Thanks to the active cooperation of wholesalers and various business partners, the dedicated efforts of our employees, and the principled law enforcement by the police, the situation is stabilizing."

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