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Lee Gwang-jae, the head of the Seoul-Gyeonggi region of TruckSol, and Lee Bong-ju, the president of TruckSol, shave their heads on Nov. 29 in protest of the government’s announcement that it will issue a work start order to break up the ongoing strike by unionized truckers. (pool photo)

Korea’s government has finally issued a work start order to put an end to a strike by workers with the Cargo Truckers’ Solidarity Division (TruckSol) who are in their sixth day of a work stoppage as they demand the expansion of a minimum pay system for truckers.

This work start order is expected to cast uncertainty over future negotiations as it will likely add fuel to intensifying confrontation between the government and TruckSol. The union has protested the order by turning to lawsuits and warned that it would also resort to more forceful strike methods.

At a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul’s Yongsan District on Tuesday, President Yoon Suk-yeol said, “We hereby issue a work start order for truckers in the cement industry who are refusing to transport cargo.

“This administration will be firm in establishing the rule of law and will never compromise with illegal actions,” he added.

“Supply chains for cement and steel have been disrupted, construction and production sites all around the country have been put on hold, posing a serious threat to the foundation of our country’s industries,” the president went on. “Even the daily lives of our citizens are under threat.”

A work start order is a compulsory order issued by the government when it deems that transport workers, as a group, are refusing to transport cargo without justifiable reasons, which in turn will lead to serious repercussions for the national economy. If transport workers refuse the order without legitimate grounds, they can be sentenced to up to three years in prison.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) explained the reasoning behind the work start order issued to the truckers in the cement industry saying, “After closely examining the damage caused by the prolonged refusal to transport cargo and collecting opinions from related ministries such as the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, it was deemed of utmost importance that the cement shipments be normalized as soon as possible.”

In addition to the work start order, the Fair Trade Commission also released data to examine whether the general strike constitutes an unfair joint action or a prohibited act by business groups under the Fair Trade Act. The commission announced that it would “respond strictly in accordance with law and order” if it finds any violations.

MOLIT and local government officials immediately began on-site investigations of cement carriers and began checking the names of truckers, their addresses, and their transportation statuses. Truckers who have been ordered to commence work must return to work within 24 hours of receiving the order.

TruckSol immediately protested the move by the administration, calling the work start order “a declaration of martial law” and is taking legal action. TruckSol held rallies at 16 local headquarters on Tuesday and many executives shaved their heads to protest the work start order.

The union issued a statement in which it announced that it would continue to strike, despite the government ordering workers to leave the picket line and go back to work. “Whatever outcome this general strike may bring, truckers will not stop their mission to ensure their right to live like decent human beings and are able to protect the safety of their families and fellow citizens,” the statement read.

The union also plans to take the matter to court in order, with plans to request the cancellation and suspension of the work start order as soon as union members receive notices to return to work and will request a trial to review the constitutionality of the order.

At a time tensions have escalated due to the issue of the work start order, MOLIT and TruckSol announced that they will participate in the second round of negotiations scheduled for Wednesday.

By Jeon Jong-hwi, staff reporter; Kim Mi-na, staff reporter; Choi Ha-yan, staff reporter

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