Cargo Workers’ Union Declares Total Struggle: What’s Next After Tragic Accident?

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Freight Solidarity, the freight division of the Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, issued \”Struggle Guideline No. 1\” after a member’s death and declared an all-out campaign as the parties held their third round of talks.

On the 26th at about 1 p.m., Freight Solidarity and BGF Logis, the logistics arm of BGF Retail, which operates the CU convenience-store chain, met at the Changwon branch office of the Ministry of Employment and Labor for a third round of negotiations. At the working-level session — held two days after the previous meeting — Freight Solidarity sent four representatives, including Policy Negotiation Chair Kim Jong-in and Vice Chair Choi Sam-young; BGF Logis also sent four delegates.

Both sides said it was too early to disclose specifics and declined to comment on the substance of the discussions.

In the second round of talks, Freight Solidarity demanded realistic transport fees, guaranteed days off for delivery drivers, a full withdrawal of damage claims and legal liability, and an apology along with restoration of honor for the deceased member. BGF Retail reportedly did not accept those demands.

The labor dispute has intensified. The day before the latest talks, Freight Solidarity staged an All-Out Struggle Resolution Rally in front of the CU Jinju logistics center in Jeongchon-myeon, Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, declaring an all-out campaign. On the morning of the 20th, at about 10:32 a.m., a 2.5-ton delivery truck collided with union members who were attempting to block the vehicle from leaving during a rally outside the Jinju CU logistics center. One union member was killed and two were injured in the crash.

Freight Solidarity formally released \”Struggle Guideline No. 1,\” outlining its future course and calling for the restoration of the deceased member’s honor and responsible action from BGF Logis. It also announced that all regional executive committees nationwide will shift into \”regional struggle headquarters\” structures. The deceased member’s family attended the rally and joined the union members in solidarity.