Truckers refusing to haul backed up Korail cargo
Published: 30 Nov. 2009, 22:25
The independent truckers’ union announced yesterday that it will refuse to provide alternative transportation for Korail’s cargo that has been disrupted by the five-day Korean Railway Workers’ Union strike.
As the strike bottles up cargo train operations, many businesses have relied on sending items by truck, but the decision by truckers could end this.
“With the railway union strike, cargo trucks were some alternative means of transportation,” said a statement by the independent truckers. “We decided to refuse to provide alternative transportation services for items, including cement and containers.”
Though the KTX bullet train has continued normal operation despite the strike, operations of Saemaeul and Mugunghwa passenger trains have been cut back about 60 percent in order to improve cargo train operations, according to Korail. But the cargo trains ran at 25 percent of their normal capacity across the nation yesterday despite Korail’s actions.
Meanwhile, prosecutors plan to seek arrest warrants for 15 senior rail union leaders on charges of refusing the prosecution’s request to appear for a hearing and for masterminding the railway strike that has cost Korail billions of won.
Korail on Friday filed complaints with police to investigate 188 railway unionists for engaging in the strike. Prosecutors subsequently asked the 15 senior leaders three times to appear for questioning.
Yesterday morning was the deadline for the third summons. They all refused to cooperate.
Prosecutors yesterday also requested that 29 other union members appear at a hearing. If they don’t cooperate, prosecutors warned they will seek their arrest, as well.
Korail said the walkout has caused an operating loss of 4.76 billion won ($4.05 million) as of yesterday. It expressed deep concern over the strike.
“If the strike is prolonged, it will worsen an already debt-ridden company,” a Korail official said. “The company plans to file a lawsuit demanding that the union cover the damages.”
Subway line No. 1 saw 20-minute delays because under-experienced additional emergency workers sometimes failed to make accurate stops at boarding platforms.
“I missed my morning class because I arrived at school 15 minutes late,” said Hwang, 22, a university student who commutes from Incheon to Seoul every day. “I heard people blaming the railway unionists’ misdeeds when I was on the subway. Looks like I wasn’t the only one who’s angry about the strike.”
People are displeased with the railway union’s strike even though part of the problem came when Korail cut back on Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains to add manpower to cargo hauling operations.
“A subway station worker told me there will be no problem commuting because the subway would run on schedule,” a man surnamed Kang said. “I feel very nervous leaving home every day because there’s no guarantee that the subway will run on a normal schedule.”
By Kim Mi-ju, Kang In-sik [[email protected]]
As the strike bottles up cargo train operations, many businesses have relied on sending items by truck, but the decision by truckers could end this.
“With the railway union strike, cargo trucks were some alternative means of transportation,” said a statement by the independent truckers. “We decided to refuse to provide alternative transportation services for items, including cement and containers.”
Though the KTX bullet train has continued normal operation despite the strike, operations of Saemaeul and Mugunghwa passenger trains have been cut back about 60 percent in order to improve cargo train operations, according to Korail. But the cargo trains ran at 25 percent of their normal capacity across the nation yesterday despite Korail’s actions.
Meanwhile, prosecutors plan to seek arrest warrants for 15 senior rail union leaders on charges of refusing the prosecution’s request to appear for a hearing and for masterminding the railway strike that has cost Korail billions of won.
Korail on Friday filed complaints with police to investigate 188 railway unionists for engaging in the strike. Prosecutors subsequently asked the 15 senior leaders three times to appear for questioning.
Yesterday morning was the deadline for the third summons. They all refused to cooperate.
Prosecutors yesterday also requested that 29 other union members appear at a hearing. If they don’t cooperate, prosecutors warned they will seek their arrest, as well.
Korail said the walkout has caused an operating loss of 4.76 billion won ($4.05 million) as of yesterday. It expressed deep concern over the strike.
“If the strike is prolonged, it will worsen an already debt-ridden company,” a Korail official said. “The company plans to file a lawsuit demanding that the union cover the damages.”
Subway line No. 1 saw 20-minute delays because under-experienced additional emergency workers sometimes failed to make accurate stops at boarding platforms.
“I missed my morning class because I arrived at school 15 minutes late,” said Hwang, 22, a university student who commutes from Incheon to Seoul every day. “I heard people blaming the railway unionists’ misdeeds when I was on the subway. Looks like I wasn’t the only one who’s angry about the strike.”
People are displeased with the railway union’s strike even though part of the problem came when Korail cut back on Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains to add manpower to cargo hauling operations.
“A subway station worker told me there will be no problem commuting because the subway would run on schedule,” a man surnamed Kang said. “I feel very nervous leaving home every day because there’s no guarantee that the subway will run on a normal schedule.”
By Kim Mi-ju, Kang In-sik [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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