Delayed First Labor-Management Negotiation at Daiso... "Employment Rules Excluded from Key Agenda"

First Negotiation Scheduled Last Month Not Held
Both Sides Took Time Selecting 5-to-5 Negotiation Committee Members
Improving Work Environment Expected to Be Main Negotiation Agenda

It was reported on the 5th that negotiations between the management of lifestyle goods distribution company Daiso and the labor union, which have been in conflict over employment rules, have not been held for nearly a month since their first meeting. Both sides had initially agreed to hold the first negotiation within last month and were coordinating detailed schedules.

Exterior view of Asung Daiso Myeongdong Station branch

According to our investigation, as of the morning of the same day, the management of Asung Daiso and the Daiso branch of the National Logistics Center Branch of the Public Transport Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions have not set a date for the first negotiation regarding the revision of employment rules. It was previously reported that after their first meeting on the 4th of last month, both sides had tentatively agreed to hold negotiations within 30 days, preferably within May, but this has effectively fallen through.

The delay in negotiations is said to be due to the time taken to select negotiation committee members from both sides. At the initial meeting, both management and the union agreed to form negotiation committees with equal numbers of five members each, but this process was somewhat delayed. However, it is reported that both sides have now completed the selection of five negotiators each and are focusing internally on refining the negotiation agenda.

The core issue in the upcoming negotiations is expected to be the improvement of workers' treatment. Since the majority of union members are logistics center employees, the union is reportedly demanding improvements in the working environment within the logistics centers. With summer approaching, they plan to request the expansion of air conditioning installations in workspaces and, if necessary, guarantees for more rest breaks.

The union also plans to demand improvements regarding safety facility issues that have arisen at the Yongin Namsa and Busan logistics hub centers. However, the management maintains that there are no problems since the logistics centers have obtained ISO45001 certification and operate according to its regulations, which is expected to make negotiations difficult.

The employment rules, which became controversial after being publicized through the media, are expected to be excluded from the main agenda of this negotiation. Previously, the union had called for dialogue to revise certain employment rules that they argued serve as grounds for the company’s unilateral decisions and control, blocking acts opposing management and restricting workers’ autonomous rights. The problematic clauses mainly specify disciplining those who "disrupt workplace order through assemblies, speeches, broadcasts, propaganda, or distribution/posting of documents without company permission," and require hiring "those with moderate ideology and clear status," among others.

Both sides have expressed their intention to engage sincerely in future negotiations. A Daiso official stated, "We will sincerely participate in negotiations according to laws and principles and strive to establish a democratic labor-management relationship." The union also said, "We are putting great effort into preparing for negotiations" and "We will make all demands related to improving union members’ treatment."

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