Jinju: Unionized cargo workers and convenience store chain CU's logistics affiliate, BGF Logis, have reached a collective agreement, concluding a 10-day blockade of the chain's key logistics centers. This development marks the end of a standoff that had significant implications for logistics operations across the region.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the agreement was finalized at a signing ceremony held at the labor ministry's branch office in Jinju, a city located 290 kilometers from Seoul. The deal raises freight rates and improves working conditions, addressing the primary concerns of Cargo Truckers Solidarity, an affiliate of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.

The conflict between the union and management intensified after a tragic incident on April 20, when a union member was fatally struck by a non-union truck outside the CU logistics center in Jinju. This accident spurred the union's blockade and heightened tensions between the parties involved.

Initially scheduled for the previous day, the signing ceremony was delayed as both sides grappled with measures to honor the deceased union member, who was in his 50s. The eventual agreement is seen as a significant victory for the Cargo Truckers Solidarity, which emphasized that management's acknowledgment of their bargaining autonomy and union status was a critical achievement. This recognition was previously denied, leading to strained relations.

The agreement guarantees basic labor rights for cargo workers, including the regularization of collective bargaining and the withdrawal of disadvantages resulting from strikes. These provisions align with the recently enacted yellow envelope act, which holds prime contractors more accountable for subcontracted workers and limits businesses' ability to claim damages from striking workers.

Furthermore, both parties agreed on a 7 percent increase in transportation fees and assured that truck drivers would receive paid leave once a quarter. This marks a shift from previous practices where higher-level logistics firms avoided direct negotiations with truck owners due to a complex outsourcing structure.