[The Editors' Verdict] HiteJinro Cargo Solidarity's Illegal Strike Crosses the Line

100 Days of 'Ttebeop' Protests Including Sit-ins
The Government Must Step Up and Enforce Legal Responsibility

Conflict between HiteJinro and the members of the Cargo Solidarity under the Public Transport Workers' Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is escalating to a critical point. Negotiations to resolve the situation were held again on the afternoon of the 22nd but ended empty-handed. The government must no longer tolerate the Cargo Solidarity, which is resorting to violence and threats tantamount to terrorism. While efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table should be prioritized, if that becomes impossible, the last resort will be the use of public authority.

The issue began in March when 132 truck owners affiliated with Suyang Logistics, a freight transport subcontractor of HiteJinro, joined the Cargo Solidarity and demanded increases in transportation fees, empty container transportation fees, and vehicle advertising payments. Suyang Logistics is an affiliate wholly owned by HiteJinro. They held more than ten rounds of negotiations with Suyang Logistics but failed to reach an agreement. The Cargo Solidarity insisted that HiteJinro, as the primary contractor, should engage in negotiations regarding labor issues arising at the subcontractor level, but HiteJinro drew a line, stating that “under the Subcontracting Act, it is illegal for the primary contractor to intervene in labor negotiations of subcontractors.” Subsequently, Suyang Logistics terminated contracts with 12 truck owners who participated in the strike, and HiteJinro filed a 2.8 billion won lawsuit for damages, claiming losses due to the union members’ rallies.

In response to HiteJinro’s actions, the Cargo Solidarity strongly protested by staging demonstrations at HiteJinro’s Icheon and Cheongju plants. When the court granted HiteJinro’s injunction to prohibit interference with business, the Cargo Solidarity occupied the Gangwon plant and continued their protests. The series of plant occupations ended with the arrest of 75 union members and the detention of three, but this only intensified the militant atmosphere within the Cargo Solidarity. Eventually, on the 16th, they staged a surprise occupation of the lobby and rooftop of HiteJinro’s headquarters in Seoul and have been holding a sit-in for a week. Counting from the start of the struggle, it has been ongoing for 100 days.

The problem is that they continue to engage in excessive “mob rule” protests. They are exposing even regular employees to danger by using any means necessary to enforce their demands. Moreover, although union members transport soju branded with the large “Chamisul” logo and receive payment, they are not legally employees. The Labor Union Act protects only those who receive wages or salaries, but these workers are paid per delivery and are classified as special employment. Both the union and the strike are illegal.

Therefore, calls for swift government action are growing louder. Such clear illegal acts cannot be left unattended for such a long time. On the 17th, President Yoon Suk-yeol indicated the possibility of deploying public authority in the future, stating that illegal acts occurring in some parts of the labor sector must be dealt with according to the law if dialogue fails. The rule of law must be applied fairly without distinguishing between labor and management, as President Yoon mentioned. Especially regarding illegal acts by militant unions that turn industrial sites into lawless zones, the government must no longer stand by and must hold them legally accountable. Only by pursuing criminal and damage compensation responsibilities to the end for such mob rule behavior can similar acts be prevented from recurring.

A prolonged standoff will harm everyone. The Cargo Solidarity must immediately end the sit-in and engage in normal dialogue. HiteJinro also needs to take a more attentive stance toward their demands.

Kwangho Lee, Head of Distribution Economy Department

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