A group of union members representing striking truckers, left, and a transport ministry official, right, stand in a hallway, after their second attempt at resolving the ongoing strike ended in failure at Sejong Government Complex, Wednesday. Yonhap

Negotiations between gov't, truckers' union falls through again

By Lee Kyung-min

A nationwide strike by the country's unionized truckers is causing some local petrol stations to run out of gasoline and diesel, according to the energy ministry, Wednesday, prompting owners of cars and buses to brace for a full-fledged fuel shortage next week.

Up to 80 percent of the cargo truckers who carry fuel provided by the top four local refiners ― SK Innovation, GS Caltex, S-Oil and Hyundai Oilbank ― are union members. Many have warned that a prolonged strike will lead to a short-term fuel shortage and overall price hikes.

The government and striking workers remain poles apart over the demands of union members seeking a permanent guarantee of a minimum wage. This difference was amplified by President Yoon Suk-yeol issuing an executive order, Tuesday, requiring striking truckers to return to work immediately, or face prosecution following a suspension and revocation of their driver's licenses.

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC), the country's antitrust agency, said reviews are underway to determine whether alleged acts of threat, intimidation and obstruction of business committed by union members in the past week violate the law. The agency's announcement last Tuesday was in direct reference to local media reports of non-union members being threatened by hardline unionists to join the collective action. Also reported were some non-union members who sought to transport goods being left unable to enter or leave shipment locations due to blockades set up by hardliners. Some claimed they were shot at by steel balls while trying to drive their trucks out of the premises. Unionized members have since denied their role or involvement in the alleged acts.

The county's industry and trade circles have estimated that at least 1 trillion won ($759 million) in losses has been incurred by key manufacturers as of Wednesday.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang, enters a local petrol station that ran out of fuel in Dongjak, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said 23 local gas stations have run out of fuel, including 15 in Seoul, three in Gyeonggi Province, two in Incheon and three in South Chungcheong Province.