8,000 Won vs. 2,500 Won: Standoff Over Transport Fees Raises Concerns for Semiconductor Plant Construction

[Anchor]

Ready-mixed concrete transport unions in the Seoul metropolitan area are continuing their strike for the second consecutive day. Labor and management are currently negotiating transport fees, and there are concerns that if the strike is prolonged, the construction of semiconductor plants could be impacted.

Reporter Jeon Hyeong-woo has the story.

[Reporter]

At a ready-mixed concrete plant in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province.

About a dozen concrete mixer trucks are at a standstill.

Approximately 8,000 members of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) ready-mixed concrete transport union in the Seoul metropolitan area began their strike yesterday (June 8).

[Let's defend our right to survive! Defend it!]

The primary demand of the ready-mixed concrete union is an increase in transport fees.

Because they are classified as independent contractors, they are also demanding a unified fee structure, arguing that individual negotiations with concrete manufacturers are difficult.

[Lim Young-taek / Chairman, National Ready-Mixed Concrete Transport Union: What is our reality? After deducting equipment maintenance costs, we are left with 1.4 million won, which doesn't even reach the minimum wage...]

On the second day of negotiations, the point of contention is the scale of the fee increase.

Regarding the fee per delivery, excluding fuel costs, the union is demanding an increase of 8,000 won, while the manufacturers are proposing 2,500 won, leaving the two sides at a stalemate.

Seventy percent of ready-mixed concrete drivers in the Seoul metropolitan area are participating in this strike.

A construction industry official stated, "Ready-mixed concrete pouring is being delayed at 70 construction sites," adding, "If the strike lasts more than three days, construction sites across the metropolitan area will come to a halt."

There are concerns that this could disrupt not only housing supply in the metropolitan area but also the construction of semiconductor plants for SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics.

The Construction Association of Korea stated, "Every time transport fees are set on a two-year cycle, there is concern that construction sites will be halted due to conflict," and has requested the government to ease requirements so that on-site ready-mixed concrete production facilities can be installed more easily.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated that it is reviewing the easing of installation requirements for areas such as semiconductor clusters, while also supporting the overall negotiation process to ensure a swift resolution.

(Video reporting: Seol Chi-hwan, Park Hyun-chul | Video editing: Ahn Yeo-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.