Labor panel says Cargo Truckers Solidarity union must be included in talks with CJ Logistics, Hanjin

National Labor Relations Commission logo. [Photo by Yonhap]

The labor relations commission has ruled that Cargo Truckers Solidarity, which received bargaining authority from the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union, must be included as a bargaining party in cases challenging whether CJ Logistics and Hanjin qualify as employers.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission on the 27th accepted a request to correct a public notice related to objections over the confirmation of the union entitled to demand bargaining, after the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions’ public transport union sought talks with CJ Logistics and Hanjin.

CJ Logistics and Hanjin had posted a notice on March 17 announcing the bargaining demand but excluded Cargo Truckers Solidarity. The truckers’ union sought a correction and filed the case after obtaining a bargaining delegation letter from its umbrella union.

The decision is seen as potentially affecting the separate BGF dispute, where tensions have continued amid a union member’s death.

Unionized truck drivers handling logistics for CU convenience stores have repeatedly demanded bargaining with BGF Retail, but the company has refused, saying it is not the principal employer.

Cargo Truckers Solidarity began an indefinite strike earlier this month, and a fatal accident involving a union member occurred during efforts to block replacement vehicles brought in by BGF.

A Labor Ministry official said the two situations should be viewed separately.

“Broadly speaking, it is a bargaining demand by Cargo Truckers Solidarity, but the circumstances are different,” the official said. “This case came in through the proper procedures, while the BGF case involves a demand for collective bargaining outside the labor commission’s procedures, so they should be separated.”

* This article has been translated by AI.

JUNG YEON WOO