Labor Relations Commission Recognizes Cargo Solidarity as a Bargaining Party with CJ Logistics and Hanjin

The Labor Relations Commission has determined that the Cargo Solidarity, which received a mandate from the Public Transport Workers' Union, is also a party to collective bargaining in the user status hearings involving CJ Logistics and Hanjin.

According to the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission on April 28, the Seoul branch ruled the previous day that, in the dispute over bargaining demands filed by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union against CJ Logistics and Hanjin, the Cargo Solidarity, which has been delegated authority by the Public Transport Workers' Union, can also be included as a bargaining party.

This case began when CJ Logistics and Hanjin excluded the Cargo Solidarity from the public notice of bargaining demands on March 17. The Public Transport Workers' Union raised an objection and filed for correction. The Cargo Solidarity argued for participation based on having been delegated bargaining rights from a higher-level organization, and the Labor Relations Commission accepted this position.

This decision recognizes that specially-employed workers can become parties to collective bargaining if certain conditions are met, lending support to the labor movement's argument for the 'right to collective bargaining for workers in special forms of employment.'

The Delivery Workers' Union held the '2022 National Delivery Workers' Rally' at Cheonggye Square in Seoul on the 21st, urging CJ Logistics to honor its social agreement and engage in dialogue. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

There is speculation that this decision could also affect the situation at BGF Retail, which is experiencing conflict over logistics for CU convenience stores. The Cargo Solidarity has demanded collective bargaining with BGF Retail, but the company has refused, stating that it does not have the status of a primary employer.

In particular, the Cargo Solidarity engaged in collective actions such as refusing to provide transportation, and the conflict intensified after a union member died during the deployment of substitute vehicles. The labor community is likely to use this decision as grounds to reiterate the legitimacy of their bargaining demands.

However, the Ministry of Employment and Labor maintains that this issue is not identical to the situation at BGF. In the cases of CJ Logistics and Hanjin, there was a delegation from a higher-level organization and procedures with the Labor Relations Commission, whereas the BGF case involved direct bargaining demands and collective action without separate procedures, indicating a structural difference.

An official from the Ministry of Employment and Labor explained, "This case is an example where the bargaining party was determined through the Labor Relations Commission's procedures," adding, "Since the BGF case involved direct bargaining demands and collective action without any separate procedures, it should be distinguished from this case."

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