Government-Freight Solidarity Negotiations Fail... "2nd Negotiation on 30th at Sejong Government Complex"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The first negotiation between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Cargo Solidarity, held five days after the general strike, ended in failure after only confirming their differences in positions. Both sides agreed to meet again at the Government Complex Sejong on the 30th for a second round of talks, but the outlook remains bleak as differences over the Safe Freight Rate System persist.

Immediately after the breakdown of talks on the 28th, Cargo Solidarity issued a statement saying, "We participated in the negotiations with a progressive attitude to promptly resolve this issue through dialogue with the government," adding, "The Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport who attended the talks repeatedly said, ‘Today, Cargo Solidarity’s position will be reported to the Presidential Office, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has no authority or discretion over this,’ and left before the negotiations concluded."

Cargo Solidarity explained, "We requested the government to withdraw the work commencement order and demanded the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s position on parts of Cargo Solidarity’s demands that could be substantively negotiated," further stating, "We also mentioned that we would take a progressive stance on each demand to reach an agreement." They added, "The Ministry’s response to Cargo Solidarity’s position at the negotiation table was that ‘there is nothing the Ministry can answer.’"

Cargo Solidarity said, "We have agreed to continue talks on the 30th," and urged, "If the Deputy Minister has no decision-making authority, we demand that the Minister personally come out and continue the dialogue with Cargo Solidarity. Please participate sincerely in the talks."

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