(LEAD) Unionized cargo workers, BGF Logis reach tentative agreement after fatal truck accident

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info on truck driver in last 2 paras)

JINJU, South Korea, April 29 (Yonhap) — Unionized cargo workers said Wednesday they have reached a tentative agreement with BGF Logis, the logistics affiliate of the CU convenience store chain, following the death of a union member hit by a truck during a recent demonstration near a logistics center of the company.

Last Monday, a 2.5-ton truck struck participants of a cargo worker rally near a CU convenience store logistics center in Jinju, about 290 kilometers southeast of Seoul, killing a union member in his 50s and injuring two others.

The rally was staged to demand that BGF negotiate directly with unionized cargo truck drivers who are not directly employed by the company. Such a call followed the recent enactment of the so-called yellow envelope act that made prime contractors more accountable for subcontracted workers while restricting businesses from claiming damages from striking workers.

The Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union said it reached the deal in a meeting with representatives from BGF Logis early Wednesday, with an official signing ceremony slated for 11 a.m.

The union said blockades at major logistics centers, which began earlier this month, will be lifted immediately after the agreement is formally signed.

Unionized workers are said to have demanded better working conditions, including more days off and higher freight rates, as well as a ban on damage claims against union members.

Last week’s fatal accident is said to have happened as rallygoers tried to block the truck, operated by a non-union worker, from leaving the site and continuing to work for the company despite the ongoing rally by unionized cargo truck drivers. The union has accused police of recklessly allowing trucks to leave the area at the time.

Police said the truck driver has been referred to the prosecution under detention on charges of murder. He was initially arrested on charges of causing special bodily injury but police later changed the charges after determining that he had acted with intent.

Separately, police also sent two other union members to prosecutors for injuring a police officer by ramming a van into the entrance of the logistics center, and threatening to harm police officers and other individuals with a weapon during the rally.