Cargo Solidarity Union-BGF Signing Ceremony May Be Delayed Beyond the Day ... Provisional Postponement Under Negotiation

by Lee Seryeong

Published 29 Apr.2026 23:14(KST)

The signing ceremony for the collective bargaining agreement between the Cargo Solidarity Union of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union and BGF Logistics, which was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on the 29th, has been postponed indefinitely.

The Cargo Solidarity Union and BGF Logistics had reached a provisional agreement during the fifth round of negotiations, which took place from 6:00 p.m. the previous day until 5:00 a.m. on the day of the ceremony, and had planned to hold the signing ceremony at the Jinju branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor around 11:00 a.m.

However, since the discussions regarding the restoration of honor for the union member who died after being struck by a transport vehicle at the protest site on the 20th, as well as compensation for the bereaved family, were not concluded, the signing ceremony was first postponed to 2:00 p.m., and eventually postponed indefinitely.

Representatives of the Cargo Solidarity under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union and BGF Logistics are taking a commemorative photo after a provisional agreement. [Photo by Cargo Solidarity]

The Cargo Solidarity Union explained, "We are proceeding with the aim of holding the signing ceremony within the day, but as the topic is a serious one for both parties, careful review and coordination are underway."

Both sides have stated their intention to finalize the agreement after thorough deliberation.

Immediately following the signing ceremony, the Cargo Solidarity Union plans to lift the blockades at key CU logistics centers, including those in Jinju and Jincheon.

BGF Logistics has also announced that once the blockades are lifted, it will work to return all centers and factories to normal operations within this week.

The Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union, under the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, is holding a rally in front of the CU Jinju Logistics Center in Jeongchon-myeon, Jinju City, Gyeongnam Province.
[Photo by Cargo Solidarity]

Previously, the Cargo Solidarity Union had demanded direct collective bargaining with BGF Logistics, the logistics subsidiary of BGF Retail, which operates the CU convenience store chain, and has been on strike at five logistics centers nationwide, including Jincheon and Jinju, since the 5th of this month.

The union argued that work orders and transportation fees flow from BGF Retail to BGF Logistics and then to the transport companies before finally reaching the cargo workers, who are classified as special-type workers, and therefore demanded direct bargaining with the principal company. BGF, on the other hand, asserted that because its operations are based on a contract structure linking logistics centers, transport companies, and drivers, it does not hold the status of a principal employer. Thus, both sides remained at an impasse.

During this process, on the 20th, at a rally in front of the CU Jinju Logistics Center, a union member was fatally struck and two others injured by a 2.5-ton truck driven by a non-union member, escalating the conflict.

Following the accident, both parties held an initial meeting on the 22nd and began negotiations, discussing issues such as the adjustment of transportation fees to reflect reality, guaranteed days off for delivery drivers, the complete withdrawal of claims for damages and legal responsibilities, and an apology and restoration of honor for the deceased union member. After five rounds of negotiations, a provisional agreement was reached.