Trucker’s Federation warns of a general strike after Aug. 20

The Inland Cargo Transportation Driver’s Union (Trucker’s Federation) proclaimed that it would hold a general strike from August 20 if government couldn’t fulfill a May 15th agreement as well as substantially raise fares through negotiation by August 19.

The Trucker’s Federation held a press conference on Aug. 4 with Mr. Tan Byungho, head of the Democratic Worker’s Union, and heads of regional branches, noting that the general strike vote passed with 90% for striking. 73% of enlisted members’ voted. It also explained that it would delay the beginning day of the general strike until after Aug. 20 because they hoped to find a solution through negotiations with shippers, trucking companies and the government, especially considering how the strike could adversely affect the domestic economy.

The Trucker’s Federation stated that it will strike immediately in the event it encounters any union suppression or violation of the agreement or unfaithful negotiations from companies.

The federation blamed the government for not showing any initiative to carry out the agreement to get rid of vicious brokers and reform the logistic flow even though one union driver committed suicide after constant harassment from creditors. It also said that it will hold direct negotiations with major shippers such as Samsung Electronics for general cargoes from Aug. 7. It also warned that it will go on a general strike regardless of the deadline, Aug. 20, if these enterprises turned down negotiations with them.

Meanwhile, the federal government discussed emergency countermeasures to increase the amount of cargoes processed through coastal transportation and railways in the event the Trucker’s strike. It is also considering employing army forces logistics resources and drivers to help with logistics and reduce the amount of damage the strike could do to the economy.